Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has warned the media industry to take abuse seriously in the wake of the Russell Brand case, telling the BBC that “time is up” for organisations that fail to act, according to BBC News.
Speaking to the BBC, Nandy said “many people” in the media industry had come forward to her, suggesting that concerns about bullying, harassment and abuse extend beyond individual cases to wider cultural problems in newsrooms, production companies and entertainment. Her warning is directed at employers and commissioners as well as individual offenders, and it frames the issue as a question of leadership and accountability rather than isolated incidents.
A warning to the industry
The Brand case has prompted questions about how allegations were handled, who knew what and when, and whether power and fame protected behaviour that should have been challenged. Nandy’s comments push that debate from the past into the present. She is asking organisations to examine their own checking, reporting and complaint systems, and to make clear that senior figures will not be exempt from standards applied to junior staff.
For broadcasters and publishers, the warning lands at a time when the sector is already under pressure from falling audiences, intense competition for attention and scrutiny of impartiality and standards. Nandy, as culture secretary, has a direct role in setting expectations for publicly funded media and the wider creative industries. Her message is that safeguarding and dignity at work are not optional extras, but core responsibilities for any organisation that relies on public trust.
Why it matters
The media industry shapes public debate, investigates wrongdoing and holds powerful institutions to account. Its own internal culture therefore matters. If people feel unable to raise concerns, or fear that complaints will be ignored, the result is not only harm to individuals but damage to journalism and creative work itself. Workplaces where abuse is tolerated can silence talent, narrow the range of voices and leave organisations vulnerable to scandal and legal risk.
The comments also matter because they signal a political shift. Ministers are increasingly expected to intervene when sectors fail to self-regulate. Nandy’s insistence that “time is up” suggests patience with voluntary promises is running out, and that regulators, boards and government may demand evidence of change rather than reassurance. How broadcasters respond will be judged not only by statements, but by whether staff report a real difference in how concerns are handled.
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What happens next
Attention will now turn to what specific steps Nandy and her department expect from broadcasters, production companies and publishers. That could include independent reviews, clearer whistleblowing routes, stronger human-resources processes and publication of progress against agreed standards. The BBC and other outlets will also face questions about whether their own past practices meet the standards now being demanded.
For victims and those who have come forward, the test will be whether speaking out leads to protection and action. Nandy has used her platform to encourage people to report concerns, and the coming weeks will show whether the industry responds with meaningful reform. In the meantime, her warning is likely to shape parliamentary questions, regulatory oversight and internal reviews across British media.
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