EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4’s Speak Up whistleblowing facility was used more times last year than the previous three combined as complaints increased tenfold, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by Deadline. One complainant has criticised the facility for not being responsive. “seriously flawed”And escalated his concern to CEO Alex Mahon.
According to the FOI there were 24 complaints to Speak up in 2021. This compares to 12 in each of the previous years. Only two complaints were registered in 2020. Although the facility anonymizes complainants and the nature thereof, it was launched in 2015. Data were only made available starting June 2018.
This sharp increase was due to Channel 4 making it mandatory that all commissioned production companies include details about the facility on their call sheet. This was partly to highlight issues around racism and Covid rule-breaking. It also conducted a number of other research. “regular spot checks to ensure guidance is followed,”According to a spokesperson.
Speak Up is Channel 4’s confidential process for people working for production companies to raise complaints in areas such as “conduct that has endangered or is likely to endanger the health and safety of an individual,”Along with malpractice, fraud and bribery, there is also corruption. “other criminal offences or legal acts.” “Concealment of information relating to any of the above”You may also contact the whistleblowing agency.
Those who want to use Speak Up first contact an external company called Safecall, who pass details to Channel 4’s internal Evaluation Group, which then decides whether to investigate internally, refer back to the production company or refer the case externally.
The FOI stated that 10 of the 24 complaints were partially upheld, 8 were upheld, and 3 were not. One was resolved before the investigation was concluded and another two were thrown out as they didn’t fall within Speak Up’s remit.
Channel 4 stated this information after being asked by Deadline about the nature and extent of the complaints. “falls outside the scope of the [UK’s 2000 Freedom of Information] Act.”
“Seriously flawed”
Deadline has been made aware of one recent Speak Up complaint, however, which is being investigated by the Channel 4 Board’s Audit Committee Chair Andrew Miller after the complainant, Ed Ryland, took umbrage with its initial findings. Deadline heard that he described the facility as “unprofessional.” “seriously flawed.”
Ryland, who previously produced UK formats I Have News for YouAnd A League Of Their Own, contacted Speak Up after a stint working on a Channel 4 show in 2020, during which he was dissatisfied with the producer’s handling of his complaint and left this role.
Ryland took umbrage with Speak Up’s investigation and Deadline has seen his correspondence with Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon over the matter, while he has since submitted a separate complaint about the conduct of Channel 4 over his initial complaint.
“I feel Speak Up’s investigation was seriously flawed,”He told Deadline. “There is no appeals process and Channel 4 has been extremely resistant to allowing any proper scrutiny. In my view it poses a mental health risk until its procedures are fully and openly reviewed.”
A spokesperson for Channel 4 stated that it would be “inappropriate to comment on an ongoing investigation.”
She spoke out about the increasing number of Speak Up complaints. “Channel 4 is committed to ensuring the highest standards of integrity and behaviour across all its productions. Awareness of our Speak Up facility has improved significantly since our productions were required to carry details of our own (or an indie’s equivalent) whistleblowing facility on call sheets over a year ago. This has led to an increase in Speak Up calls and the fact that 18 complaints were upheld or partially upheld shows the facility is working and delivering a really important function within the industry.”
The Gogglebox And It’s A Sin broadcaster urges staff and freelancers to seek help from their line managers or producers’ HR officials before using Speak Up and indies are expected to have their own policies along with abiding by Channel 4’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which outlines expectations in areas such as “Dignity at Work,” “Harassment, bullying and the abuse of power”Diversity and inclusion
Deadline, a channel other than Channel 4, revealed that the BBC had revised its guidelines regarding bullying and harassment in October. This was in light of “recent revelations,”Such as the Noel Clarke allegations.Doctor Whostar denies.
Internally, the BBC’s most recent annual report for the year to April 1 2021 showed 58 bullying and four sexual harassment cases, of which 48 were closed, nine were ongoing and five were withdrawn. According to figures obtained from the BBC, one BBC employee has been fired for harassment and bullying over the past two-years. However, 33 cases were upheld or partially upheld. The Times September