Martin Lewis Discusses BBC, Watchdog, and TV Working Conditions

Consumer advocate Martin Lewis has sharply criticized the “piss poor” pay and working conditions in the TV industry. He highlighted a persistent attitude that, despite being seen as glamorous, workers are treated poorly.

Lewis, who hosts a money-focused show on ITV, made these comments while accepting the outstanding achievement award at the Edinburgh TV Festival. Throughout his career, Lewis has passionately defended consumer rights and has worked to support those struggling financially, particularly during the pandemic. His efforts have been recognized by many industries, including television.

He specifically criticized the low pay for freelancers, saying it deters potential talent. Connecting this issue with remarks made by MacTaggart lecturer James Graham, Lewis noted that low pay creates a class barrier that favors individuals from affluent backgrounds. He also pointed out the prevalence of unpaid internships as a means for people to enter the industry.

According to Lewis, the terms and conditions of TV industry jobs are “horrendous.” He attributed part of the problem to an outdated perception that working behind the scenes in TV is glamorous despite the poor treatment of workers, an attitude he insisted needs to change.

Lewis provided examples, such as production companies dismissing freelancers before Christmas and rehiring them in January to avoid paying them during the holiday season. He also cited cases within the BBC where employees are working far above their pay grade without appropriate compensation due to budget constraints.

He remarked that TV executives are more willing to discuss personal topics like “clitoral stimulation” than wages. With his production company, Lewis aims to treat freelancers better by keeping them employed for as long as possible and helping them find new opportunities as their contracts come to an end.

Lewis agreed with Graham about the lack of working-class representation in the TV industry but pointed out an “underclass” that is even harder to reach. “It’s not just about the working class,” he said. “There’s another level of society that TV often treats voyeuristically, and that’s the underclass.”

He also revisited his earlier criticisms of the BBC for reducing its consumer finance show Watchdog, calling it a poor decision. He criticized public broadcasters for not properly informing viewers about the cost-of-living crisis.

“They report the news but don’t explain its implications, relying on vox pops to gauge public opinion on issues like inflation,” Lewis explained. “One benefit of my ITV show is that it allows me to provide answers.”

Lewis pointed out several major mistakes he believes have been made by public broadcasting journalists, mentioning the two-child benefit cap, tuition fees, and the energy price cap as examples of misinformation.

“Political journalists focus too much on Westminster politics,” he said. “They portray issues as political battles but don’t explain their real impact on the public.”

Despite his criticisms, Lewis expressed concern about the future of public broadcasters, arguing that their decline would harm democracy and society. “Fewer authoritative voices could be dangerous,” he warned.

“Social media isn’t as reliable, and its messages are scattered,” he continued. “Television, especially primetime TV, is incredibly powerful—more so than the front page of the Daily Mail, though that influence is fading.”

Lewis made these remarks during the Edinburgh TV Festival before the alternative MacTaggart lecture by Carol Vorderman.

Source: Edinburgh TV Festival