Get used to hearing things you don’t like, BBC news chief tells gay and trans staff – Telegraph.co.uk

The BBC’s outgoing head of news has told LGBT staff they “have to get used to” hearing things “they do not personally like”.

In an “extremely hostile” Zoom meeting with the corporation’s Pride network, Fran Unsworth allegedly told employees last Friday they must get used to hearing opinions they disagreed with.

It comes as the BBC faces accusations from its own workforce that it is “institutionally transphobic”, the Sunday Times reported.

Two sources present at the meeting claimed Ms Unsworth,63, said: “You’ll hear things you don’t personally like and see things you don’t like, that’s what the BBC is, and you have to get used to that.”

Ms Unsworth, who is due to leave her position in January, added: “These are the stories we tell. We can’t walk away from the conversation.”

A BBC journalist at the meeting said: “Fran was totally calm but determined about it.

“She was reacting to questions from the network that implied people shouldn’t come across views they disliked. To me, it felt like she was having to explain journalism to idiots.”

Meanwhile, Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, has attempted to reassure staff over the corporation’s recent departure from Stonewall’s diversity champion scheme and that he was concerned about LGBT inclusivity.

However, Mr Davies was reportedly told by a member of staff that he was not in a position to make decisions on the issue “because he’s not trans”, while another claimed the BBC was “institutionally transphobic”.

A BBC spokesman said: “The BBC has regular staff meetings and this meeting was constructive and useful.

“Although the BBC will not be renewing its participation in the diversity champions programme, in the future we will continue to work with a range of external organisations, including Stonewall, on relevant projects to support our LGBTQ+ staff.”