Four senior female journalists from the BBC—Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh—have alleged gender, age discrimination, and pay disparities following the merger of the BBC’s News and World News channels. These claims emerged after changes in their employment because of the integration of the channels, including accusations of a biased recruitment process they say was rigged against them.

The dispute centres on whether they have been paid on par with their male counterparts since February 2020, with additional claims that include suffering demotions, pay cuts, victimization, harassment, and reputational damage. The journalists highlighted systemic issues within the BBC’s pay structure and are seeking redress for what they describe as unequal treatment that no younger women or men purportedly experienced.

However, their equal pay claim was dismissed by a preliminary hearing at the Central London Employment Tribunal. The tribunal accepted the BBC’s argument that these claims should not proceed since similar issues had been previously settled. Yet, their separate allegations of sex and age discrimination are set to be heard at a full employment tribunal in March 2025.

The BBC maintains that its recruitment process adheres to fairness and compliance with equal pay legislation, and it has denied any wrongdoing. The organization expressed satisfaction with the tribunal’s decision to dismiss the equal pay claims but refrained from further comments at this stage.

This case has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding equal pay and workplace discrimination within the media industry and beyond.