View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
December 31, 2008

Yvonne Ridley wins compensation from Islam Channel

By paulmcnally

A London employment tribunal has awarded journalist Yvonne Ridley £20,500 in compensation from the Islam Channel for unfair dismissal.

Ridley’s daily current affairs programme on the digital channel, Agenda, was axed last February.

Investigative journalist John Pilger and NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear were among those who signed a petition at the time, demanding her reinstatement.

Ridley – a former Sunday Express journalist – was taken hostage by the Taliban in 2001 and has since converted to Islam.

An employment tribunal ruled earlier this year that she had been unfairly dismissed by the Islam Channel, harassed and discriminated against.

On top of the compensation awarded this week, the channel must also pay £5,000 towards Ridley’s legal costs.

Ridley told the tribunal in February this year: “In 30 years working in the rough and tumble of the media, including 10 years on Fleet Street, I experienced nothing like this.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

“I simply could not cope with this constant undermining, humiliation and manipulation.”

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network