BBC ageism row ‘brewing’ after top presenters axed in shock hosting shake-up
A BBC ageism row is ‘brewing’ after top presenters were axed in a shock hosting shake-up.
Yesterday, the network confirmed five presenters who would front a new TV channel as BBC News and BBC World News were merged.
The network is merging its UK and International teams, meaning a number of presenters have taken voluntary redundancy.
Ahead of the spring launch, the BBC’s Lucy Hockings, Christian Fraser, Matthew Amroliwala, Yalda Hakim and Maryam Moshiri were announced as the main presenters.
However, it means a number of well-known faces have lost their presenting roles.
These include Jane Hill, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Martine Croxall, Ben Brown and Annita McVeigh.
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Their exits come after Joanna Gosling, David Eades and Tim Willcox took voluntary redundancy and broadcast their final bulletins.
The changes have prompted industry insiders to claim a new ‘ageism’ row could engulf the BBC.
A report in The Guardian saw The National Union of Journalists arguing there is still room for others on the new channel.
The article said: “One source said eyebrows had been raised about the age of the women who had not been chosen, and claimed all but one of them have had pay corrections due to equal pay issues.
“Some insiders have said the choice of presenters signals that the focus of the new channel will be more on international news.”
However, The BBC said all the anchors had been appointed “via a competitive interview process in accordance with BBC HR procedures”.
The Sun Online has contacted the BBC for comment.