Yahoo News What we know about Sangita Myska's absence from LBC Radio
The journalist has been absent from her show on the station since a heated interview with an Israeli government spokesman.
LBC presenter Sangita Myska is leaving her show on the talk radio station after almost two years, with presenter Vanessa Feltz drafted in to host a new show on Saturdays.
Myska had been off air since a heated interview with an Israeli government spokesperson on 15 April about Iran's recent drone and missile strikes on Israel, and LBC had not commented on her absence until the Feltz announcement on 1 May.
LBC’s senior managing editor Tom Cheal said: "We’d like to thank Sangita for her fantastic contribution to LBC and we wish her every success in the future."
A video Myska's heated interview, available on LBC's YouTube channel, shows Avi Hyman shaking his head as Myska puts to him the Iranian case that the attack was in retaliation to an earlier Israeli airstrike on a consulate building in Syria, describing it as an "outrageous framing of the reality".
The Israeli government maintains that the building was not a consulate, claiming it was a military building used by Iran's Quds Force. However, the attack has nonetheless been condemned by the United Nations and several of its members.
Myska argued it was widely reported as being a consular building, and that the strike was on what was considered diplomatically to be Iranian territory, and risked escalating an "incredibly fragile situation" in the region.
Here's what we know so far.
What we know
Myska hadn't been on her usual radio slot on 1-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The station has since announced that she will be leaving LBC after two years.
Vanessa Feltz will have a new show on Saturday from 3-6pm, in what LBC referred to as a "refreshed weekend schedule".
LBC also confirmed former Conservative Party parliamentary candidate and commentator, Ali Miraj, will have two weekend shows following a successful stint guest hosting on LBC.
Feltz said: “After a long and passionate courtship, I’ve finally succumbed to the allure of LBC. Actually, I was powerless to resist. Global’s dynamism is mesmerising and it is THE high-octane station from which to broadcast, in this riveting election year. I can’t wait to join the Global family and get cracking. Brace yourself for May 4th – May the fourth be with you!”
An online petition started on 22 April calling for Myska to be "reinstated" by LBC has now been signed by more than 14,300 people.
Its founder, David Noble, wrote: "Sangita is a professional and thorough journalist whose insightful reporting has been a cornerstone of LBC's programming. Her absence leaves a void that cannot be easily filled, depriving listeners of her unique perspective on critical issues."
While Noble makes no mention of Israel's war in Gaza, many signatories in the comments section suggest that her criticism of the Israeli government could have something to do with her absence.
On Saturday an LBC caller, named Callum Taylor, claimed he was drowned out when asking Ali Miraj, who was filling in for Myska, what had happened to his colleague. He shared a video on X, suggesting his mention of a presenter being taken off air for being critical of Israel had been cut out of the broadcast.
When LBC audio dump you for mentioning @SangitaMyska. I have so much love and respect for LBC and the work they do, but this is really sad. I sincerely hope we have gotten this wrong, and there is a reasonable answer to #WhereisSangitaMyska. #FriendsOfSangita pic.twitter.com/Hox2apwH3y
— Politi_Cal (@CallumTaylor95) April 27, 2024
What we don't know
Yahoo News has contacted Global Media, LBC's owners, and has attempted to contact Myska herself, but has not had any response.
While speculation is pointing to Myska's interview with the Israeli government spokesperson, we cannot confirm that this is the reason for her absence, and LBC is yet to release any official statement on this.
Myska herself is yet to comment on what has happened publicly. Responding to a post on X from 24 April in which a fan wrote, "Hope your OK Sangita - you’re missed," the journalist replied: "Miss you all too x", to the relief of followers worried about her safety.
The former BBC presenter's most recent Instagram post was shared just days ago, but recent updates on the platform are focused on her personal life, and commenting under her posts has been limited.
We do not know whether Feltz was drafted in to replace Myska or whether her appointment had been in the works for a while.
