My love for journalism, media, music and entertainment stem from childhood. I used to sit in front of the television watching in awe and inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey so I ended up doing both in front and behind the camera work. From school to university, I always studied the arts: media, entertainment and social sciences with a passion and thirst for knowledge, experience and story telling.
Clearly reality TV seems the worst but is it quite similar across all genres? What about natural history, science etc? Very different or largely the same ?
Wow thanks for sharing. Your skills would work well in the arts. Having had limited experience in tv I can truly say the arts is much less toxic. Wishing you all the best with future endeavours.
Black, female and struggling with my faith in this industry - when I read you were Muslim too it really hit, I really felt this in my heart. This article was so powerful - I hope you’re in a better place now. I hope I get there too inshaAllah
Black, female who works in post-production here... I have worked on entertainment, scripted, and live music and sport, both at the post-house and sometimes on set.
Lots of what you have said happens in the post Dept too.
I made the decision to leave quite a long-standing contract (during Covid) because the pressure was too much. Tough decision, but the best thing I've ever done.
Subsequently, I also left another job after two days because I could see how it was going to pan out and thought, 'nope!'. I worried I would get a bad rep for leaving jobs. But actually, my peace of mind is worth more than feeling ill at ease whilst working, and I haven't had any issues picking up new gigs.
It's a shame we have to resort to leaving, rather than having faith that the issues will be addressed, but needs must.
Well done to you, to us, to anyone who chooses to put themselves first.
Hi Fanta. Our paths haven’t crossed professionally, but I’ve just read your article in Broadcast online and I am simultaneously horrified by your experiences, but saddened that this is the reality of our industry. I think the biggest travesty of all is that someone of your integrity has left an industry that needs integrity more than ever. However I applaud you for sticking to your guns, living your truth and going with your heart. Thank you for sharing your story, I wish you every success with what you do next. Hopefully television improves so we may be fortunate to have you back again. CTS x
Well said Fanta!!! And thank you for saying it out loud. You know what my experiences were and why I left it too so good for you. Hope this helps others and gets rid of the bad eggs that tried to hold us back.
This resonated so deeply, as a current black female TV producer in the UK, I heard and felt every word. Often want to escape and hear myself saying 'I hate this place' meaning the industry, and no one ever understands because 'your job sounds so cool'.
Clearly reality TV seems the worst but is it quite similar across all genres? What about natural history, science etc? Very different or largely the same ?
Wow thanks for sharing. Your skills would work well in the arts. Having had limited experience in tv I can truly say the arts is much less toxic. Wishing you all the best with future endeavours.
Thank you for speaking out. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Black, female and struggling with my faith in this industry - when I read you were Muslim too it really hit, I really felt this in my heart. This article was so powerful - I hope you’re in a better place now. I hope I get there too inshaAllah
Black, female who works in post-production here... I have worked on entertainment, scripted, and live music and sport, both at the post-house and sometimes on set.
Lots of what you have said happens in the post Dept too.
I made the decision to leave quite a long-standing contract (during Covid) because the pressure was too much. Tough decision, but the best thing I've ever done.
Subsequently, I also left another job after two days because I could see how it was going to pan out and thought, 'nope!'. I worried I would get a bad rep for leaving jobs. But actually, my peace of mind is worth more than feeling ill at ease whilst working, and I haven't had any issues picking up new gigs.
It's a shame we have to resort to leaving, rather than having faith that the issues will be addressed, but needs must.
Well done to you, to us, to anyone who chooses to put themselves first.
So spot on. Thank you for sharing
Hi Fanta. Our paths haven’t crossed professionally, but I’ve just read your article in Broadcast online and I am simultaneously horrified by your experiences, but saddened that this is the reality of our industry. I think the biggest travesty of all is that someone of your integrity has left an industry that needs integrity more than ever. However I applaud you for sticking to your guns, living your truth and going with your heart. Thank you for sharing your story, I wish you every success with what you do next. Hopefully television improves so we may be fortunate to have you back again. CTS x
Well said Fanta!!! And thank you for saying it out loud. You know what my experiences were and why I left it too so good for you. Hope this helps others and gets rid of the bad eggs that tried to hold us back.
This resonated so deeply, as a current black female TV producer in the UK, I heard and felt every word. Often want to escape and hear myself saying 'I hate this place' meaning the industry, and no one ever understands because 'your job sounds so cool'.