Mediacorp says all hires based on merit, refutes claims on skin colour playing a role

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Mediacorp has clarified that its hiring practices are based on merit and refuted claims about its editor-in-chief, Walter Fernandez making comments about presenters' skin colour playing a role in choice of presenter. According to Channel NewsAsia, Mediacorp's clarification came in response to statements made by former BBC correspondent Sharanjit Leyl in a BBC World Service programme.

During the radio programme titled "From Our Own Correspondent" that aired on 7 August, the former BBC presenter is said to have shared her experiences in Singapore, and elaborated on her struggles to get "her foot in the door at the local news broadcaster" in the 1990s, said the report on CNA.

According to the CNA report, Leyl claimed that she reportedly "confronted the man" who now leads the TV channel's newsroom about why there were so few Indian or Malay presenters. She added that he "ironically happens to be Indian Singaporean", CNA said. Leyl did not name the news channel nor the man she reportedly spoke to, CNA added, but allegedly said the man had explained that "viewers did not like watching darker-skinned presenters".

While Mediacorp is unable to comment on what transpired back then without specific details from her, the company told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that its hiring policies and practices are based on merit such as having the relevant skill sets that the role requires. "Mediacorp is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in our workforce - for our on-air and on-camera talents, as well as behind-the-scenes crew and corporate employees," the broadcaster added.

Specifically, CNA, as an Asian news channel serving a global audience, has a diverse group of presenters, the company told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. It explained that 30% of its CNA news presenters are from minority groups. Of the CNA documentaries, specials and commissioned programmes that feature a presenter over the past two years, 60% were presented by a minority, it said. Across the entire CNA newsroom, including among others, reporters, producers and editors, 40% are from minority groups. According to Mediacorp, this is significantly above the national average.

In the statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Fernandez explained that the alleged confrontation that the former BBC correspondent referred to was actually a conversation during a media dinner in November 2018 when they were seated at the same table.

"To my recollection, I did not reference race or skin colour at all in our conversation. What I did speak about was the number of Singaporeans with relevant skill sets who apply to be presenters, the rigorous selection process which includes written and on-camera tests, as well as interviews with several senior editors," Fernandez explained. He also stressed that he was not part of the interview panel. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Leyl and BBC for comment.