The Newsroom

Kay Burley off air for 6 months

Split from Sky News

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TV
TVViewer256
House posted:
RDJ posted:
Doesn’t seem much of a punishment to be taken off air for a ‘period of time’. Depends if it’s paid or unpaid.... though it wouldn’t be appropriate to know that.

I would assume the breakfast show will go back to being known as ‘Sunrise’ rather than the name of someone who has been suspended from the company. I can’t see it being called ‘Kay Burley’ again.... that’s probably a crushing blow enough for her.


Indeed, it may not be accurate to describe this as a 'suspension'. The wording regarding all of them has been they will be 'off air' during that time – there's a good chance they will continue to be paid, and perhaps have other duties that aren't public-facing to attend to.

It might seem pedantic, but a suspension would be a clear statement of wrongdoing by the staff member that was in some way in conflict with their contractual obligations. This seems more akin to saying both sides agree these journalists cannot appear impartial and credible in reporting on COVID-19 and the law around its restrictions given recent events. Notably, six months from now there is a hope the nature of COVID restrictions will have changed considerably (for the better).

I'm fine with the use of suspension here. Her job is to be on air, she's been taken off air. That's very similar to a suspension. However, I do get your point - using the word 'suspension' could potentially be misleading. I also doubt it's a scenario of 'if Burley said no then Sky would keep her on' - I reckon if she declined to be off air they wouldn't have it. However, no-one here (as I'm aware of) is that close to the situation, so it's difficult to comment on.
MA
Meridian AM
It is bad professionally for Beth Rigby to be taken off at the climax of all the Brexit drama, as well as the Covid crisis.
MA
Meridian AM
Sam Washington allowed back on air next week.



BR
Brekkie
Seems a hasty and hefty decision, but it makes a statement and that is the intention here.
HO
House
House posted:
RDJ posted:
Doesn’t seem much of a punishment to be taken off air for a ‘period of time’. Depends if it’s paid or unpaid.... though it wouldn’t be appropriate to know that.

I would assume the breakfast show will go back to being known as ‘Sunrise’ rather than the name of someone who has been suspended from the company. I can’t see it being called ‘Kay Burley’ again.... that’s probably a crushing blow enough for her.


Indeed, it may not be accurate to describe this as a 'suspension'. The wording regarding all of them has been they will be 'off air' during that time – there's a good chance they will continue to be paid, and perhaps have other duties that aren't public-facing to attend to.

It might seem pedantic, but a suspension would be a clear statement of wrongdoing by the staff member that was in some way in conflict with their contractual obligations. This seems more akin to saying both sides agree these journalists cannot appear impartial and credible in reporting on COVID-19 and the law around its restrictions given recent events. Notably, six months from now there is a hope the nature of COVID restrictions will have changed considerably (for the better).

I'm fine with the use of suspension here. Her job is to be on air, she's been taken off air. That's very similar to a suspension. However, I do get your point - using the word 'suspension' could potentially be misleading. I also doubt it's a scenario of 'if Burley said no then Sky would keep her on' - I reckon if she declined to be off air they wouldn't have it. However, no-one here (as I'm aware of) is that close to the situation, so it's difficult to comment on.


I'm certainly not suggesting it was necessarily her choice, although if she had declined there would likely have been a longer, more formal HR investigation. Removing someone publicly from their professional duties can, in the right circumstances, amount to a constructive dismissal claim.

Either way, I think Sky are being careful here not to say anything which suggests either what they did was acceptable, nor that what they did was actually a serious problem. If the pendulum swings too far in any direction, it impacts either Sky's credibility today or its credibility when they're allowed back on air.
DV
DVB Cornwall
Well, That’s what, that is. Makes the unpunished Barnard Castle incident standout more.

(FTAOD - Comparator not political point)
UT
UTVLifer
I wonder if the breakfast show might return to the Glass Box next week and just take the usual streamlined Xmas schedule/look a week early?

Assuming it'll be Niall and Sarah on whatever we are calling the breakfast programme
UT
UTVLifer
Is Sam Coates now Acting Political Editor?
MA
Meridian AM
Is Sam Coates now Acting Political Editor?


He's just be on now, credited as Deputy.
MA
Meridian AM
I wonder if the breakfast show might return to the Glass Box next week and just take the usual streamlined Xmas schedule/look a week early?

Assuming it'll be Niall and Sarah on whatever we are calling the breakfast programme


I assume they will be the presenters, but they will surely keep it in Westminster so they can keep having the government in the studio...?
BF
BFGArmy
Well, That’s what, that is. Makes the unpunished Barnard Castle incident standout more.

(FTAOD - Comparator not political point)


Indeed it does seem like newsreaders are being held to a higher standard than the politicians who run the country (which is to say politicians should be held to a higher standard than they are).
Brekkie and UTVLifer gave kudos
CU
Cusack
Well, That’s what, that is. Makes the unpunished Barnard Castle incident standout more.

(FTAOD - Comparator not political point)


Indeed it does seem like newsreaders are being held to a higher standard than the politicians who run the country (which is to say politicians should be held to a higher standard than they are).


Dominic Cummings of course was a civil servant rather than a politician.

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