While being white , blonde and an attractive Anglo-Saxon should n't ensue judgement , according to Ellie Laing , SBS news reporter , it does come with a barrage of unfair perceptions . In an article by The Australian written on Monday , Jim Carroll , the News and Current Affairs Director of SBS , was reported to be taking a more 'commercial ' approach to the network by hiring 'good-looking , female , Anglo-Celtic ' journalists . While Carroll denies he is hiring based on these standards , many of the journalists hired since his appointment in 2013 have fit the above bill . 'Never mind the fact that I work damned hard ' : SBS reporter Ellie Laing has launched a scathing attack on an article in The Australian that suggested she and other journalists were hired for being young , white and female . Ellie Laing , SBS news reporter who was hired by Carroll , has now hit back at claims she was hired for her beauty over her brains in an open letter to critics . 'When a compliment suggesting I might be , in some way “ attractive , '' I ’ ll take it , with delight , ' she wrote in an open letter circulated to several news outlets . 'What I won ’ t take is a suggestion that because I 'm “ attractive ” , white and a woman it somehow detracts from the credibility and substance of the news service I work for . ' Laing also wrote that despite a near decade of experience , hard work , established contacts and a regular six day week gig working as a journalism teacher at Macleay College on the side , none of this was taken into account . Diversity : The SBS was criticised for hiring young attractive reporters , with Sarah Abo one of the journalists mentioned in the article . 'In my case it did n't mention the near decade of experience I could bring to the newsroom after enjoying a long career across radio and TV at the ABC , Seven and Ten . Never mind the fact that I work damned hard . ' The article also commented on the SBS content taking a more 'fluffy ' lifestyle approach , which Laing shot back at by insisting a need for an inclusion of the arts and a more balanced approach to hard news . Beyond the affront on her looks , credibility and the content , Laing made sure to clear up one thing - she was hired for passion , not because she 'scrubs up alright . ' Alyshia Gates is another of the SBS journalists whose position were questioned by The Australian . Finishing her letter with a fiery response for The Australian journalist behind the controversial article , Laing said : 'If he ’ d watched the bulletin a bit closer he would have seen I ’ ve changed my name to Ellie Laing ( too ) . I got married late last year . And yes , on my wedding day , I looked the most “ attractive ” I 've ever been . ' While Laing stands by Carroll and claims that suggest the over importance her looks play , this article comes at the same week Karen Middleton , SBS political correspondent announced her departure from the network . It 's believed by insiders she did n't have the right 'profile ' to fit Carroll 's new criterion . Whether it 's sexism based on attractiveness or unattractiveness , age or cultural background it could be said the head of network 's values to be 'independent from external pressures to conform or favour ' and 'provide a real multi cultural and contemporary Australia ' are coming under question .
Ellie Laing spoke out against claims of being hired for looks alone . The Australian claimed Jim Carroll only employed pretty , Anglo-Celtic girls . The article claims SBS is having an 'attractive ' overhaul to boost ratings . It 's believed Karen Middleton SBS political reporter 's departure comes after she did n't 'fit the bill ' Laing said article did not take into Ten of working 'damn hard ' Told Daily Mail Australia that reaction to her letter has been supportive .