The BBC has reportedly defended Naga Munchetty following a fresh wave of backlash over her new position on the 5Live Breakfast show. The 51-year-old broadcaster announced last month she is leaving BBC Breakfast at the end of the year after 17 years.
New Role and Reaction
Munchetty will replace current hosts Rachel Burden and Rich Edwards, who step down in December. She said: "I'm thrilled to be joining 5Live Breakfast in January. Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5Live does all of that brilliantly."
Her flexible working arrangement—three days in Salford and two in London—has caused "consternation" behind the scenes, as her co-presenter will be expected to work five days a week in Salford. A source told The Mirror: "Many don't feel that is particularly fair, and that bosses have afforded her special treatment."
Unadvertised Role and BBC Response
Another sore point is that her role was handed to her without being advertised. The insider said: "There is disquiet that the role has been handed to her on a plate, whereas prospective co-presenters will have to battle it out for the job. Naga was a shoo-in, whereas her co-presenter was expected to jump through various hoops... it doesn't strike some as particularly fair."
The job advert on the BBC Careers website states the new co-star must "broadcast a live 3-hour double-headed breakfast show 5 days a week from Salford." A BBC employee told the Mirror the broadcaster is defending Munchetty, saying: "The dust has barely settled on those allegations, and now she is handed the breakfast show job... which is clearly a promotion from mid-morning. It doesn't feel right."
A BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: "Appointments into any presenting role are made on merit and in line with the BBC's standard processes. We reject any suggestion that different standards have been applied in this instance." Munchetty, one of the BBC's highest-paid stars on £365,000 a year, has not commented on the allegations.
