Channel 4 News in storm over ‘gagging clauses for female staf f ’
CHANNEL 4 News has asked at least five women to sign controversial ‘gagging orders’ around issues such as equal pay, discrimination and victimisation, it is claimed.
The programme is facing huge criticism over claims it had silenced women with ‘confidentiality’ agreements and had ruined people’s careers.
It is understood deals have been used in several cases to gag female staff, with sources suggesting there have also been accusations of bullying and harassment.
There are claims involving a number of misconduct allegations against certain members of staff over their behaviour.
Yesterday an online petition called for women who have been ‘silenced’ by Channel 4 News to be ‘released’ from the agreements.
It stated: ‘The testimonies from these women state that speaking out... about what they faced ultimately ruined both their careers and their mental health.’ Last night the petition – which was backed by female campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed – had been signed by 15,000 people.
This comes as former culture secretary Maria Miller has written to Channel 4 News producer ITN asking it to explain why the agreements were used. The row is hugely embarrassing for ITN’s chief executive Deborah Turness, who is about to join the BBC as its news chief – although it is unclear if she had any direct involvement. Cases where such confidentiality deals were put in place were said to include some where women claimed they were underpaid after returning from maternity leave.
One former staff member reportedly signed an agreement containing one of the gagging clauses after being given a financial settlement when she agreed to drop claims of victimisation and sex discrimination. A well-placed source said a number of the cases involved members of staff. One individual is claimed had threatened to ‘destroy’ a woman who had asked for equal pay.
Another is said to have sent messages about a woman, who had asked for equal pay, which had humiliated her. And one is said to have instructed colleagues to ignore a woman who had reported harassment, because she was a ‘liar’.
A woman involved in the situation told the Daily Mail: ‘Women were encouraged to
‘Destructive and traumatic’
report bullying, harassment or discrimination by ITN bosses – but we were not praised or celebrated when we did, we were forced out of the company with a settlement agreement and a confidentiality clause.
‘Saying “me too” in Channel 4 News was the most destructive and traumatic thing I have ever done in my life.’
ITN said last night: ‘ITN categorically rejects these former employee allegations in the strongest possible terms.
‘We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination.’
It added: ‘ITN does not use NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] for employees. There have been only a small number of settlement agreements over the past few years.’