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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.
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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.”
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The Signatories
Professor Aaqil Ahmed, Former Head of Religion BBC and Channel 4
Afua Hirsch, Writer and Broadcaster, Professor of Journalism
Aina J. Khan, Freelance Journalist
Alex Murray
Alexandra Pringle
Alex Collins
Alvaro Alvarez, Documentary Filmmaker
Amanda Kirton
Anoop Pandhal, Documentary Series Producer, Defiance, Channel 4
Anu Anand, Presenter, Journalist and Podcast Host
Ariane Sherine, Journalist
Arif Asif, Operations Manager, Asian Media Awards
Arifa Akber, Chief Theatre Critic at The Guardian
Ashish Joshi, Health Correspondent, Sky News
Ashitha Nagesh
Asif Kapadia, Film Director
Asjad Nazir, Entertainment Editor of Eastern Eye Newspaper
Aysha Rafaele, Executive Producer
Barnie Choudhury, Journalist and Broadcaster
Becky Gardiner, Goldsmiths, University of London
Bola Mosuro, Journalist and Broadcaster
Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, Journalist and Editor
Charlotte Church, Musician
Clare Kennedy
Clare Sambrook, Freelance Journalist
Corey Brotherson, Author
Daniel York Loh – Writer, Performer, Filmmaker, Associate Artistic Director – Kakilang, Chair – Equity Race Equality Committee
Daisy Ayliffe, Documentary Director and Filmmaker, BBC, Channel 4
Dal Babu OBE, former Chief Superintendent Metropolitan Police
David Noble, Medical Scientist and Petition Founder
Darshan Sanghrajka, Founder at Super Being Labs
David Chipakupaku, Producer, Sky News
David Robson, Author
Dawn Emery, Freelance Journalist
Professor Des Freedman, Goldsmiths, University of London
Dhruti Shah, Freelance Journalist and Creative Lead, Have You Thought About
Diana Evans, Author
Dionne Shury Trotman, Former BBC Journalist
Dougie Comrie, Retired Detective Inspector, Police Scotland
Emma Maxwell, Senior Producer, Channel 4 News
Fadah Jassem, Freelance Journalist
Fatima Salaria, Freelance TV Executive
Fay Nurse
Frances Coppola, Author and Speaker
Frances Leach, Labour Councillor City of London
Gary Younge, Journalist, Professor and Orwell Prize Winner 2024
Georgia Coan, The Telegraph
Graham Hughes, Adventurer
Hadassah Shah, Writer, Musician, Creator
Hamza Ali Shah, British Palestinian Freelance Journalist / Writer
Hannah Weisfeld, Executive Director and Founder of Yachad UK
Hasan Salim Patel, Communications Consultant
Helena Wadia, Journalist and Co-host of Media Storm Podcast
Hewete Haileselassie, Journalist and Communications Specialist
India Willoughby
Inge Snip, Senior Editor, Women Press Freedom at the Coalition For Women In Journalism
Ishaq Khan, Software Engineer
Jackie Long, Social Affairs Editor, Channel 4 News
James Mates, Europe Editor, ITV News
James Wong, Botanist and Broadcaster
Jamie Klingler, Co-Founder Reclaim These Streets
Jamsheda Ahmad Young, Former Assistant Editor /Senior Journalist, BBC World News
Jane Cashman
Jane C Woods, ChangingPeople
Janey Starling, Co-director Level Up
Jasmine Dotiwala
Jat Dhillon, Freelance Journalist
Javed (Jah-Vhed) Thomas, Co-Founder of Race Equality Matters
Jini Reddy, Author and Journalist
Joanna Hall
John McDonnell MP
Professor Jonathan Portes, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, King’s College London
Karishma Patel, Journalist/Newsreader
Karnagie Sharp
Kate Watkins, Associate Professor of Journalism
Kehinde Andrews, Professor of Black Studies, Birmingham City University
Keme Nzerem, Freelance Journalist
Kinda Haddad, Journalist, Formerly of BBC Panorama
Kwajo Tweneboa, Social Issues Campaigner
Lehni Lamide Davies, Programme Director – BA Theatre and Social Change (Hons)
Rose Bruford College
Leila Sansour, Filmmaker and Journalist
Leroy Logan MBE, Founding Member of National Black Police Association, Former Superintendent at the Met Police and Author
Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor, Channel 4 News
Lisa Hack, Audio Producer and Educator, Goldsmiths, University of London
Dr Lisette Johnston, Former BBC World News Planning Editor
Lorraine King, Radio Presenter and Former Journalist
Lovejit Dhaliwal, Freelance Journalist and Documentary Maker
Lyse Doucet
Mai Noman, Journalist
Mark Newbold
The Marsh Family, Musicians
Marsha Ramroop, Author, Inclusion Strategist and Former BBC Journalist
Dr Marcela Pizarro, Goldsmiths, University of London
Martin Forde KC
Mathilda Mallinson, Journalist and Co-host of Media Storm Podcast
Matt Walsh, Head of the School of Journalism, Media and Culture at Cardiff University
Maxine Watson, Executive Producer
Megha Mohan
Melissa Sigodo, Journalist and Founder of The Thread Newsletter
Michael Morgan, Social Media Commentator
Mike Lanchin
Misan Harriman, Photographer and Film Director
Mobeen Azhar, Journalist / Filmmaker
Mohamed Madi
Monisha Rajesh, Author
Myriam Francois, Broadcaster
Nalini Sivathasan
Naresh Kaushik, ,Journalist and Broadcaster
Nathan Holder, Author of If I Were A Racist
Nawal Al-Maghafi
Professor Natalie Fenton, Goldsmiths, University of London
Natasha Junejo, Trustee South Asian Heritage Trust, Literary lead South Asian Heritage Month
Nazanine Moshiri, Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group
Nazir Afzal, Former Chief Prosecutor
Neila Butt, Creative Equity Lead, Channel 4
Nina Robinson, CEO Soundtruism Productions
Nimra Shahid, Freelance Journalist
Nitin Sawhney CBE, Composer, Producer and Musician
Olivia Crellin
Dr Omega Douglas, Goldsmiths, University of London
Owen Jones, Columnist, The Guardian
Patsy Stevenson, Public Figure, Equal Rights Campaigner
Revd Peterson Feital, Founder CEO, The Haven + London
Poonam Joshi, Foreign Correspondent and Women’s Rights Activist
Ramaa Sharma, Journalist and Executive Coach
Rasha Qandeel, Egyptian British Journalist, NUJ Member
Rebecca Omonira-Oyekanmi, Freelance Journalist
Reha Kansara
Reni Eddo-Lodge, Author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race
Reshmin Chowdhury, Broadcaster
Saadeya Shamsuddin, Senior Journalist and NUJ’s Black Members’ Council
Sam Bright, Journalist and Author
Samantha Smith,
Sajda Mughal OBE, CEO and Consultant
Sean Adams, Editor, Drowned in Sound
Seyi Falodun-Liburd, Co-director Level Up
Shafi Musaddique, Freelance Journalist
Shaista Aziz, Freelance Journalist
Baroness Shaista Gohir OBE
Shamim Chowdhury, Freelance Journalist and Asian Media Awards Judge
Sheela Banerjee, Author and Journalist
Sheeraz Gulsher, Co-Founder of People Like Us
Sheetal Parmar, Freelance Journalist and Executive Producer
Shilpa Kannan, Tech Executive and Journalist
Shivani Dave, Journalist and Broadcaster
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, Lawyer, Author, Activist
Shuiab Khan, Journalist and Columnist, Lancashire Telegraph and Asian Image
Sonia Winifred, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
Sophia Smith Galer, Journalist and Content Creator
Steve Nash
Subhadra Das, Writer and Historian
Professor Sunny Singh, Author, Academic and Director of Jhalak Prize
Suresh Grover, Co-director of The Monitoring Group
Syam Thommandru
Symeon Brown, News Correspondent, Channel 4 News and Author of Get Rich or Lie Trying
Taj Ali, Co-editor Tribune Magazine
Tan Smith, Political Commentator, Supertanskiii
Tashmia Owen, Artist, Writer and Women’s Rights Campaigner
Tassia Kobylinska, Goldsmiths, University of London
Tayo Kazzim, Freelance Sync Licensing Manager
Tony Adams, Investigative Journalist and Broadcaster and Chair of NUJ Black Members’ Council
Tony Dolce, Senior Journalist
Dr Toyin Agbetu, Scholar-Activist and Anthropologist, University College London
Triumph Arach, Student at Warwick University
Will Landricombe
Yasmin Alibhai Brown, Writer
Yasmin Qureshi MP
Yousef Eldin, Filmmaker
Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party and London Assembly Member
Zarah Sultana MP
Zita Holbourne, Author, Writer, Poet, National Chair of BARAC UK
This article was updated on May 14 2024, after new signatories were added to the list