Sangita Myska: More Media Figures Sign Open Letter to LBC Expressing ‘Deep Concern’ About Her Departure

More than 170 journalists, broadcasters, celebrities, politicians, academics and activists have now signed an open letter to LBC expressing their “deep concern” at the “sudden disappearance” of the presenter Sangita Myska from the station.

Dozens more signatories were added to the list, which already included senior BBC and Channel 4 News journalists, Members of Parliament and the singer Charlotte Church.

Those signing the letter say that Myska’s departure from the station “has been interpreted by many as the station’s complete disregard for industry standards relating to diversity [and] transparency”.

They also express concern that her departure shows that “excellent journalists are at risk for simply doing their job and asking robust questions.”

Myska’s departure led to widespread speculation online that she had been sacked due to her on-air questioning of an Israeli spokesman about the war in Gaza, something that has been denied by figures at LBC.

Among those signing the open letter are the Channel 4 News presenters Symeon Brown, and Lindsey Hilsum, who describes Myska as a “brave, principled and excellent broadcaster” as well as Labour MPs Zarah Sultana, Yasmin Qureshi and John McDonnell.

Other signatories include thejournalists Gary Younge and Owen Jones as well as Martin Forde KC, who led the Forde Inquiry into racism, sexism and bullying within the Labour Party.

In their letter they state that “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.”

They also say her departure has prompted fears about the station’s commitment to diversity in journalism, saying that “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.”

Myska’s departure led to a large public outpouring of support for the presenter, with tens of thousands of people signing a petition protesting against it.

She has yet to publicly comment about her exit. However, other LBC presenters, have pushed back against suggestions that it was due to anything other than commercial considerations.

The station has since revamped their weekend schedule, with her slot split between the former Conservative Party parliamentary candidate Ali Miraj and Vanessa Feltz.

LBC did not respond to a request for comment.

‘Ofcom is Fine With Political Parties Interviewing Themselves on GB News During the General Election’

The former Chief Executive of ITN and Ofcom Partner for Contents and Standards digs deeper into the regulator’s partial research into ‘due impartiality’

Stewart Purvis

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.”

The Signatories