A new controversy has emerged at the BBC regarding equal pay, as Martine Croxall, a presenter, is taking legal action against the broadcaster for alleged age and sex discrimination.
Croxall’s lawsuit stems from being off-air for over a year following the merger of the BBC’s News and World News channels, as indicated in court listings for the London Central tribunal court on 1 May.
The BBC has chosen not to provide a comment on the matter.
Last year, concerns were raised within the BBC about potential ageism issues after the merger of the BBC News channel and BBC World News, leading to the removal of well-known faces like Jane Hill, Ben Brown, and Martine Croxall.
Other presenters such as Geeta Guru-Murthy, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh have also been absent from the screen for more than a year, with only Guru-Murthy and McVeigh making a recent return.
During a recent committee hearing, BBC director general Tim Davie addressed the situation, stating that efforts were being made towards a fair resolution for the affected women.
In a separate case in 2020, Samira Ahmed successfully won an equal pay claim against the BBC, highlighting disparities in pay between her and Jeremy Vine for similar presenting roles.
The BBC has faced previous challenges regarding equal pay, with former China editor Carrie Gracie also receiving substantial back pay after revealing gender pay discrepancies at the broadcaster.
Amidst these controversies, concerns have been raised about the impact of budget cuts on the BBC’s operational capabilities, particularly within the World Service, as highlighted by outgoing boss Liliane Landor.
The BBC’s financial challenges have been exacerbated by government-imposed freezes on the licence fee, leading to significant reductions in staffing and programming, ultimately affecting the broadcaster’s global influence.
Despite these challenges, the BBC World Service continues to broadcast in numerous languages across various countries, facing ongoing financial pressures that threaten its ability to maintain its extensive reach and services.
2024-04-18 13:37:11
Source from www.theguardian.com