In a recent article for the Financial Times, journalists Emma Jacobs and Daniel Thomas examine the widespread issue of bullying and misconduct in the film and TV industries.
Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, told the FT that misconduct is a systemic problem that requires broad solutions. "This is not about rooting out a few bad apples . . . There is no doubt bullying is a major issue in film and TV," he said. A survey conducted by the Film and TV Charity found that 46% of respondents had experienced bullying, and nearly half of managers reported feeling unprepared to address it.
High-profile scandals involving major broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 have revealed how such behavior can often emerge in high-pressure environments. In response to these cases, media companies have promised to review their complaints processes and implement safety measures. However, despite new policies and support systems, many employees remain fearful of reporting misconduct due to potential career repercussions.
These concerns are, of course, not unique to the media sector. As we at Starling Insights have covered over the past year, there is increasing attention among financial firms and regulators to so-called "non-financial misconduct" — behavior like bullying and sexual harassment — and how such behavior may reveal failures in risk and governance structures. In both sectors, it is clear that addressing the "bad apples" is insufficient, and a more systemic solution is needed.
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