Suzanne Shaw, who left Bay Area broadcasting eight years ago, has been hired by Channel 11 as its new editorial director. She will help “guide and present editorials,” a press release from the station says.

Shaw began her television career in 1975 as Suzanne Saunders at KSBW-Salinas-Monterey. She worked as a producer at KTVU, and later co-anchored at both KGO-TV and KRON. After a stint with PBS’s “Nightly Business Report,” Shaw left television in 2001.

About her return to local TV, Shaw says, “This is a pivotal time for local media, when the economic climate is forcing all of us to take a hard look at business and politics as usual. I am anxious to help make some changes.”

“I am looking forward to participating in a dialog with viewers,” says Shaw. “Whether they agree or disagree with our viewpoint, we’re anxious to create an exchange of ideas that can help us all make good choices about our future.”

Channel 11 president and GM Richard Cerussi appears ready to start putting opinions on the air. “We are uniquely positioned to give Bay Area residents a platform for debate,” he says in a news release. “When viewers are empowered to share their opinions and discuss important issues, we all benefit.”