Channel 4 says Kelvin MacKenzie’s criticism of hijab-wearing journalist is “completely unacceptable”
After former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie wrote a column on 18 July criticising Channel 4 for having a “young lady wearing a hijab” report on the attacks in Nice, Channel 4 fired back by stating that his remarks were “offensive, completely unacceptable, and arguably tantamount to inciting religious and even racial hatred.”
Channel 4
In the Sun column, MacKenzie wrote that he could “hardly believe” his eyes when on Friday night he saw Fatima Manji reporting on the Nice attacks.
“The people of Nice, and the people of France, would view a foreign reporter wearing a hijab in these tense times as massively provocative,” he wrote.
In a statement, Channel 4 responded by saying that "It is wrong to suggest that a qualified journalist should be barred from reporting on a particular story or present on a specific day because of their faith. Fatima Manji is an award-winning journalist. We are proud that she is part of our team and will receive, as ever, our full support in the wake of his comments."