James OBrien Rips Sangita Myska LBC Exit Conspiracy: Host Tenure Driven by Ratings, Not Israel Coverage [Video]

LBC host James O’Brien confronted “internet conspiracy theories” about the exit of his journalist colleague Sangita Myska from the station, explaining that all presenters “stand and fall” by their ratings when it comes to contract renewal.

The conversation comes after listeners raised concerns about her absence and speculated that it may be in connection with a fiery interview on her last show with Israeli government spokesman Avi Hyman.

In the intervening weeks a listener-led petition gained over 25,000 signatures demanding Myska’s reinstatement and industry colleagues weighed in to ask for an explanation, including Channel 4 international editor Lindsay Hilsum. On Wednesday, however, LBC parent company Global shared that the journalist would be leaving at the close of her two year contract in a press release announcing that former TalkTV host Vanessa Feltz would be joining the station.

On Thursday a caller to O’Brien’s current affairs call-in show raised the idea that Myska’s departure may …