Latest news with #NagaMunchetty
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
BBC Breakfast boss takes extended leave after allegations about behaviour
Richard Frediani has been in charge of the morning show since 2019 and accepted a Bafta last month when BBC Breakfast: The Post Office Special scooped the news coverage award. Media outlets reported that an internal investigation is being carried out following allegations of bullying. BBC News reported that an HR adviser from consultancy firm PwC is also supporting the corporation as it looks into the culture of the morning TV show. Meanwhile, The Sun newspaper has reported that BBC bosses have spoken to Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty about two alleged incidents, which include an allegation of bullying, in three years. A BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.' It is understood that any complaint at the BBC is reviewed on its own merits and the appropriate action taken as a result, with a range of actions on the table. In April, BBC executives Tim Davie and Samir Shah vowed that 'today is the day we draw a line in the sand' after an independent review found some 'well-known names' are 'not being held to account for poor behaviour'. The workplace culture review, led by management consultant Grahame Russell from Change Associates, was launched in the wake of the furore over disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Stoney-faced Naga wants ‘business as usual' but subtle slips reveal what she REALLY thinks about ‘bullying' allegations
NAGA Munchetty appeared ready for business as usual on TV today - but her expressions were telling just hours after allegations of bullying emerged, a body language expert has said. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, appeared on air this morning after allegations of bullying relating to her treatment of junior colleagues. 3 It comes after she allegedly made an 'off-air sex jibe' towards a coworker that left them feeling uncomfortable. She also reportedly accused a junior staffer of stealing - with bosses reprimanding the star for her behaviour. Her return to the studio shows a desire to continue business as usual, despite the scandal surrounding the show. During this morning's broadcast, she and Charlie Stayt hosted a segment on being 'appropriate at work', discussing whether shorts are appropriate workwear in hot weather. Body language expert Judi James suggested Naga looked "stoic, professional, and maybe ironic" throughout the segment. Both her body language and her tone gave an air of authority and confidence. Judi said: "Her start comment of 'some people' sounds weighted, with tonal emphasis on the word 'some' and she uses a cut-off ritual with her hand while using very direct eye contact on Charlie, who purses his lips and looks back." While at the start she sits with one elbow on the back of the sofa in a "confident-looking splay" she then leans back in her seat and dons a more "authoritative expression". She continues to hold this expression as Naga concludes: "It depends on your workplace dress code and the nature of your job." As the focus shifts to Charlie to continue the 'what is appropriate in the workplace' discussion, Naga looks into the camera with an "asymmetric, wry-looking smile". BBC star Naga Munchetty hauled in by bosses over allegations she BULLIED a junior staffer and 'made an off-air sex jibe' Charlie meanwhile sucks his lips inwards in an expression of seriousness according to Judi, before employing some "serious-looking head batons for emphasis". Earlier this morning, Naga was seen arriving through the back door of the BBC studio, in a move Judi describes as "low on drama with clearly no desire to showboat or perform any active body language rituals of denial for the cameras." She was wearing a royal blue cat suit that Judi says is a "stylish, confident and professional choice". Throughout the show she maintained this professionalism, visually addressing the cameras. Judi said: "Naga's very direct visual address of the cameras hasn't changed or diluted, which suggests a very direct and open relationship with the viewers." This is mirrored by her body language which also suggests openness. However, Judi suggested that there were some signs of the pressure Naga is facing amidst the allegations as she sandwiched her left hand between her crossed legs, or fiddled with an earring or the neckline of her jumpsuit. Her relationship with Charlie had signs of "harmony" and appeared "friendly". Judi said: "After the 7:30 news ended the camera caught them at a distance and it was Naga budging up closer and throwing him a warm smile as they prepared for the next segment." After the show finished, the pair were seen enjoying a cigarette break together outside the studio. Despite the ironic tone of the segment, Naga has not yet addressed the allegations made against her.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Indian-Origin BBC Presenter Naga Munchetty Accused Of Inappropriate Off-Air Behaviour And Bullying
Indian-origin BBC presenter Naga Munchetty is under fire after allegations of inappropriate off-air conduct and bullying, The Sun reported. The 50-year-old who is already at the centre of a BBC Breakfast toxicity row was reportedly reprimanded by bosses over two incidents in three years. The management also hauled her in over a comment she made during a break on Radio 5 Live. She allegedly used a crude slang term for a sex act and then directed the question at a colleague. The incident, which occurred in 2022, stunned the Radio 5 Live studio and led to Ms Mnchetty being hauled before bosses. According to The Sun, a senior producer reprimanded Ms Munchetty, but no formal action was taken. The 2022 incident was "crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional," one insider said, adding that the person on the receiving end "felt embarrassed". In a separate incident on the BBC Breakfast show last year, the outlet reported that Ms Munchetty was allegedly involved in the bullying of a junior staff member. She falsely accused a female junior staffer of stealing, which led to a closed-door showdown. "It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised," the insider said. "That wasn't an isolated incident. It really is the tip of the iceberg," said another insider. Notably, the recent revelations come at a time when the BBC is facing scrutiny over multiple misconduct cases involving its on-air talent. According to The Times, BBC Breakfast show's editor Richard Frediani is at the centre of a formal bullying investigation. The outlet is conducting an internal review into his behaviour and general allegations of toxicity on the show. Staff have been approached about sharing their experience of working on the programme, according to Deadline. Mr Frediani, on the other hand, has taken an extended period of leave after the allegations about his behaviour. He has been accused of shouting at staff for on-air mistakes, kicking a bin and pressuring staff on central news desks not to withhold their best stories for the 6 pm and 10 pm bulletins. A BBC spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases but takes "all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values". "We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed,' the spokesperson added.
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
BBC Breakfast editor on extended leave after bullying allegations
The editor of BBC Breakfast has taken an extended period of leave after allegations of bullying and misconduct. Richard Frediani has been the subject of at least two misconduct complaints since taking over the UK's most-watched morning TV show in 2019, according to Deadline. The BBC has now appointed the consultancy firm PwC to review the culture at the BBC One show based in Salford. A BBC spokesperson said it did not comment on individual cases but takes 'all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously'. Frediani was handed further responsibility as editor of the BBC's News at One bulletin after one complaint against him was upheld, according to Deadline. He allegedly physically shook a lower-ranking female editor in the newsroom in 2024, the industry website reported. Frediani, a former ITV News executive, has also faced allegations of shouting and swearing at colleagues, according to media reports. The BBC presenter Naga Munchetty has reportedly raised concerns about his conduct. In April the BBC published the findings of an independent review into its workplace culture, which found that some staff believed there were a minority of people – on- and off-air – who were in effect allowed to behave unacceptably. It found that the BBC did not have a toxic workplace culture but said it must intervene earlier when allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerge. The corporation's chair, Samir Shah, told staff as the review was published: 'There is a minority of people whose behaviour is simply not acceptable. And there are still places where powerful individuals – on and off-screen – can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable.' Last month Frediani accepted a Bafta award when Breakfast won best TV news coverage for a special episode about the Post Office scandal. He has not commented on the allegations. The BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.'
Mint
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Indian-origin BBC journalist Naga Munchetty accused of bullying, inappropriate conduct
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has been called in to address concerns about her workplace conduct, including alleged use of sexually suggestive language and remarks toward a junior colleague, according to a report by The Sun. The allegations span two separate incidents. In 2022, Munchetty was reported to have made a crude, off-air remark referencing a sex act while on a break during her Radio 5 Live shift, a comment that reportedly prompted an informal reprimand from a senior producer. No formal disciplinary action followed, though those present described the exchange as 'crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional.' One affected colleague was left feeling 'embarrassed' by the incident. The scrutiny intensified after an incident on BBC Breakfast last year when Munchetty allegedly accused a junior member of staff, without evidence, of theft. The confrontation reportedly took place behind the scenes and concluded without an apology. Following the episode, the junior employee left the show, reportedly feeling demoralised. 'It was humiliating,' an inside source said of the allegation. These reports emerge amid rising concerns over the BBC's approach to workplace misconduct. As the first female presenter to be publicly scrutinised following scandals involving male figures like Giovanni Pernice, Graziano Di Prima, and Wynne Evans, Munchetty's case has sparked debate about perceived double standards. 'If a male presenter made a sexual comment like that… he'd be out the door. But with Naga, it gets brushed off,' claimed a Breakfast insider. The BBC has acknowledged an internal review of the show's workplace culture, including an ongoing investigation into its editor, Richard Frediani, who is currently on leave amid his bullying allegations. A BBC spokesperson in a statement said, 'We take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously,' though no comment was made on individual cases. Munchetty rose to fame in 2018 when she interviewed writer and biologist David Attenborough for the BBC Breakfast show. The interaction went viral after she asked Attenborough a question about the royal family. The question left the writer visibly upset.
