UK: Women Press Freedom Expresses Alarm Over Sangita Myska's Departure, Calls for Immediate Reinstatement
Departure follows interview with Israeli spokesperson about Gaza
Location: United Kingdom, London
Date: May 10, 2024
Women Press Freedom expresses deep concern over the sudden departure of Sangita Myska, a renowned radio presenter and former BBC reporter, from LBC. Myska has not been on air since April 20 following a contentious interview with an Israeli spokesperson regarding the ongoing war on Gaza. The unexplained disappearance of the high-profile, popular journalist from LBC’s schedule — the only Asian presenter in a regular slot — is shocking. Sangita’s journalistic record and professional integrity are unimpeachable, her approach is fair and balanced. She established a ‘rare rapport’ with her audience at a time when public trust in the mainstream media is low. Our concern is that recent events could undermine that trust further. Women Press Freedom criticizes the station's handling of Myska’s departure, which reflects a disregard for industry standards related to diversity, transparency, and valuing its audience. We urge LBC to address this issue transparently and reinstate Sangita Myska, ensuring that diverse voices and rigorous journalism remain on-air.
Sangita Myska, a renowned radio presenter and former BBC reporter, has not been on air at LBC since April 20. The station announced last week that Myska would be leaving at the end of her contract, which she began in 2022.
Her departure follows a contentious interview with an Israeli spokesperson regarding the ongoing war in Gaza. Women Press Freedom worries this interview led to her abrupt removal. Despite her absence from the station, LBC has retained the YouTube clip of the interview on its channel.
Women Press Freedom’s senior editor, Inge Snip, has joined the open letter supporting Myska, which has the signatures of over 100 media personalities, activists, broadcasters, and lawyers.
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Open Letter to LBC About Sangita Myska
We, the undersigned colleagues, friends, supporters and allies of Sangita Myska are writing to express our deep concern at her sudden disappearance from LBC.
Sangita is a highly respected award-winning presenter with a proven track record in international journalism for more than 20 years. She has been described by Channel 4 News’s Lindsey Hilsum as a ‘brave, principled and excellent broadcaster’ and ‘a national treasure’ by photographer and film director Misan Harriman. She is also one of the few women of colour to have been so successful in an industry where barriers to entry and progression are many.
The unexplained disappearance for weeks of a high profile, popular journalist from LBC’s schedule – the only Asian presenter in a regular slot – shocked, upset and confused her peers and thousands of listeners across the UK, whose strength of feeling is palpable.
The abrupt nature of Sangita’s departure, and the absence of an explanation, has been interpreted by many as the station’s complete disregard for industry standards relating to diversity, transparency and attributing value to its audiences, and concern that excellent journalists are at risk for simply doing their job and asking robust questions.
Sangita is the daughter of immigrants who settled in London against the backdrop of violent racism in the 1970s and 80s. After a non-selective state school education and a degree made possible only by a full maintenance grant, she secured a highly competitive spot on the prestigious BBC News Trainee Reporter scheme. She is a representative of ordinary everyday people in a media landscape that is dominated by those with immense privilege – be that a private education or Oxbridge degree, familial or social connections, or through their sex, class, race or physical or neurotypical ability.
Sangita’s journalistic record and professional integrity remains unimpeachable. Her approach is fair and balanced. She established a ‘rare rapport’ with her audience, author Tim Walker notes, at a time when public trust in the mainstream media is low. Our concern is recent events could undermine that trust further.
Diversity also matters. Sangita has used her platform to uplift underrepresented voices, mentor diverse talent, provide allyship to a wide range of communities, tell their stories, while challenging racist narratives and institutional bias with intelligence, wit, and lived experience.
Little wonder then that Sangita soon became a favourite presenter at LBC attracting a large, growing and loyal listenership from all backgrounds, inspired by her journalism, honesty, and bravery in holding public figures to account. Clips of her shows have regularly received millions of views online and much praise.
In a world beset by disinformation and misinformation, Sangita’s voice as a truth teller throughout her career is even more sought after now and is missed. The huge outcry by her followers in recent weeks and those concerned about press freedoms highlights this. We stand in solidarity with Sangita Myska and look forward to the return of her valued journalism.”
A petition on Change.org calling for Myska's reinstatement has amassed more than 35,000 signatures.
Journalist Dhruti Shah, one of the letter’s co-authors, praised Myska's integrity and influence in the field of journalism.
“Sangita Myska is a journalist who has paved the way for many others in our field,” she says. “Her journalism has been of the highest integrity, and we look forward to the return of it.
Fellow LBC broadcasters have noticeably refrained from commenting on Myska’s departure, seemingly distancing themselves from the controversy. LBC has yet to comment publicly on the reasons behind Myska's departure or the calls for her reinstatement.
Myska, the daughter of immigrants with a career marked by integrity and dedication to truth-telling, has provided a crucial counterbalance in a media landscape often dominated by privilege. Her sudden disappearance from the airwaves undermines the trust audiences place in media institutions and highlights the precarious position of journalists who dare to ask tough questions.
The diversity Myska brings to the media is invaluable. She has consistently uplifted underrepresented voices, mentored diverse talent, and provided allyship to various communities. Her departure represents a significant loss to journalism.
Women Press Freedom stands firmly with Sangita Myska and supports the call for her immediate reinstatement. We criticize the station's handling of Myska’s departure, suggesting it reflected a disregard for industry standards related to diversity, transparency, and valuing its audience.
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