Channel 4 News under fire over ‘gagging order’ claims

Allegations of controversial ‘gagging orders’ at Channel 4 News have come to light.

Claims suggest that the television programme asked at least five women to sign an agreement to prevent them from discussing issues such as equal pay, discrimination and victimisation.

According to the Daily Mail, the programme is now facing criticism over claims it silenced women with ‘confidentially’ agreements.

The claims allegedly involve a number of misconduct allegations, which have been made against staff for their behaviour, as well as accusations of harassment and bullying.

A petition has since started to circle online, which calls for the women who have been made to keep quiet to be “released” from the agreements by Channel 4 News.

“The testimonies from these women state that speaking out... about what they faced ultimately ruined both their careers and their mental health,” the petition reads.

‘Gagged’ cases

Claims that were allegedly ‘gagged’ include cases where women stated they were underpaid after returning from maternity leave.

Meanwhile, a former employee reportedly signed a confidentiality agreement after being given a financial settlement when she agreed to drop claims of sex discrimination and victimisation.

Another case involved an individual who claimed to have threatened to “destroy” a woman who asked for equal pay.  

A similar incident is said to involve a staff member who sent messages about a woman who also queried equal pay, which left her feeling humiliated.

Another is believed to have told colleagues to ignore a woman who had reported harassment because she was a “liar”.

A woman involved in the situation explained: “Women were encouraged to 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.”

Allegations ‘rejected’

ITN, the production firm which produces daily news programmes for Channel 4, said that it “categorically rejects” such allegations from employees at Channel 4 News.

“ITN categorically rejects these former employee allegations in the strongest possible terms,” ITN continued.

“We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination.”

The business enthused that it “does not use NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] for employees”, noting that there have only been a “small number” of settlement agreements over the past few years.

Reward Strategy has reached out to ITN for comment on the allegations.