Journalist Carrie Gracie resigned as the BBC’s China editor in protest at the corporation paying men more than women for doing the same job.
ADVERTISEMENTIn an open letter, addressed to the "BBC audience", Gracie said she was leaving the UK corporation "to speak out publicly on a crisis of trust at the BBC".
"The BBC belongs to you, the licence fee payer. I believe you have a right to know that it is breaking equality law and resisting pressure for a fair and transparent pay structure," she continued.
Others on the BBC's payroll, both male and female alike, came out in support of Gracie who will move back to the BBC’s newsroom, where she "expects to be paid equally".
Using the hashtag #IStandWithCarrie, many took to Twitter to show their support for the journalist.
Clare Balding, one of the BBC’s best-paid female broadcasters tweeted that she was behind Gracie.
Presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 and HARDtalk, Sarah Montague said Gracie was "brave and brilliant" for her actions.
She also retweeted a statement from #BBCWomen—a group of over 130 broadcasters and producers— which labelled Gracie's resignation "hugely regrettable".
BBC broadcasters show support on Twitter
Other well-known female broadcasters also used the #IStandWithCarrie hashtag to express their approval of the letter and the ex-China editor's departure.