In a scathing indictment of its internal culture, ITN, the venerated British media institution responsible for producing news programming for ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5, is facing intense criticism from its own journalists following the release of a report detailing serious issues with how the company handles staff complaints. The revelations have sent shockwaves through the organization and the wider media industry.
Report Exposes “Low Trust and Psychological Safety” at ITN
Commissioned by ITN itself, the report conducted by law firm Simmons & Simmons interviewed 45 current and former employees about their experiences from 2018 to 2024. Its findings paint a troubling picture of a work environment plagued by mistrust and fear. The report summary, reviewed by sources close to the matter, highlighted particular concerns around “low trust and psychological safety within parts of ITN” which continue to discourage staff from speaking up about problems.
Calls to Reform Use of Non-Disclosure Agreements
Central to the controversy is ITN’s use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The media company has faced allegations that it leveraged these legal tools to silence victims and cover up serious misconduct such as gender pay discrimination, harassment, and bullying. The report advised ITN’s chief executive Rachel Corp to “oversee a review of existing NDAs/confidentiality provisions and consider revisiting them with the individuals concerned, where appropriate.”
NDAs should not be used to hide alleged misconduct on any level. If you want to stop misconduct, you have to take away the tools that hinder transparency.
Zelda Perkins, anti-NDA campaigner and former Weinstein assistant
While the report did not find “material legal concerns” about ITN’s NDA practices, it did conclude that “the internal and external messaging by ITN was, at times, unclear and inconsistent” which “contributed to wider concerns” among staff. Corp has pledged to introduce an enhanced confidential “speak-up” service for employee complaints in response.
Senior Journalists Decry “Appalling” Treatment of Staff
The findings have provoked an unprecedented display of anger and frustration from some of ITN’s most prominent journalists. At a tense company town hall, Channel 4 News lead anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy sharply rebuked management, remarking: “If this was a public-sector organisation, we would say, looking at this report, I’m surprised there have been no resignations or firings.” He declined to comment further.
Guru-Murthy’s sentiments were echoed by Rohit Kachroo, ITV News’ global security editor, who accused ITN of being stuck in a “cycle” of empty promises to address longstanding issues, only for nothing to change. One former Channel 4 News employee, who contributed to the report, told media that Guru-Murthy said staff had been treated “appallingly” and noted the channel’s public service remit, adding: “Channel 4 is a public service broadcaster. It has said and done nothing in years about this.”
ITN Apologizes, Vows Reforms Amidst Mounting Pressure
Faced with a rising tide of recrimination from within its own ranks and beyond, ITN has been forced into a defensive crouch. In a letter to employees, CEO Rachel Corp apologized, conceding that “it is clear at times we have not met the high standards we expect of ourselves when people have raised concerns.” She vowed to fully implement the report’s recommendations, stating: “I fully accept that where we have fallen short, we must do better.”
However, to many observers and aggrieved journalists, ITN’s mea culpa and reform pledges feel like too little, too late. Veteran political figures like former culture secretary Maria Miller have been ringing alarm bells about the company’s use of NDAs to “cover up wrongdoing” for years. As recently as 2022, the Guardian reported on a former Channel 4 News employee being left “traumatised” and “gagged” after signing a settlement agreement containing confidentiality clauses.
ITN has been making the same platitudes for years. NDAs should not be used to hide alleged misconduct on any level. If you want to stop misconduct, you have to take away the tools that hinder transparency.”
Zelda Perkins, anti-NDA campaigner and former Weinstein assistant
In response to the latest furor, an ITN spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to fostering “a culture of openness and trust.” They confirmed that “no one at ITN will have confidentiality provisions imposed upon them which would prevent them from talking freely about their experiences working at the organisation” and that any confidentiality clauses would “only apply to any financial settlement amount and commercially sensitive matters.”
A Watershed Moment for British Media?
As one of Britain’s most influential news organizations battles this existential crisis of credibility, the repercussions are being felt far beyond the company’s headquarters in Gray’s Inn Road. Many see the controversy as a watershed moment for the U.K. media establishment writ large, which has long faced pointed questions about its internal cultures, diversity failings, and treatment of staff.
ITN’s tribulations have striking parallels with recent turmoil within the BBC over its handling of impartiality and social media guidelines for journalists. Both cases underscore the treacherous tightrope major news organizations must walk in maintaining the trust and buy-in of staff, especially reporters on the frontlines, while navigating political and commercial pressures in a fast-evolving media landscape.
As the industry digests the lessons of this scandal, all eyes will be on ITN’s next moves. Will the promised reforms and change in tone from leadership be enough to rebuild shattered trust and right the ship? Or will the revelations prove a tipping point that forces a more fundamental reckoning within Britain’s media establishment? The stakes could scarcely be higher for the future of journalism in the country and beyond.
