The BBC is facing criticism for its treatment of five female news channel anchors who have been benched and unable to work for months amid a merger of the corporation’s UK and international news channels. Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh, who between them have over 100 years of broadcasting experience, have not presented on the BBC News channel since March. Some have been at home against their wishes while the broadcaster establishes the structure of its slimmed-down rolling news operation. The situation has sparked concern about the money being wasted, with some estimating costs could reach six figures or more. According to reports, the BBC is drafting in freelancers to cover presenting roles, while employees receive acting up pay. The women affected, meanwhile, continue to receive full salaries while some are not working.
The anchors, who have all spoken out in favour of equal pay, are over the age of 45 and some are union representatives. The broadcaster has faced lawsuits alleging equal pay disputes and age discrimination in the past. The women were not successful in landing one of five UK-based chief presenter roles on the newly-merged channel and were offered the chance to apply for eight correspondent/presenter posts. Recruitment for the roles is ongoing. Nancy Kacungira, who has worked at the BBC for seven years, has taken one of the posts, leaving seven vacancies.
The BBC’s Director General Tim Davie was grilled about the situation last week by UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Lawmaker John Nicolson of the Scottish National Party said it looked as if the BBC was punishing the presenters. Davie declined to comment on specific individuals, but said no one would be punished and that a fair, good conversation was needed to ensure the affected women were settled.
The BBC merged its UK and international news channels on 3 April, a move designed to save costs and revitalise the news channel for a new generation of viewers. The five presenters have said that they are awaiting news about their future at the BBC.
