Media workplace bullying was worst among those in TV

In findings published on Tuesday, employees had experienced a range of bullying, including racist, sexist and homophobic abuse by senior management.

Seventy per cent of the 400 people who responded to the survey, carried out by YouGov, worked in television.

The survey results were released as part of the programme launch for the Edinburgh TV Festival, which will include a session on industry bullying called Suffering in Silence.

'Difficult'

Sara Ramsden, festival chairperson and Sky One's controller, was "shocked" by the findings.

"This has been a difficult session to put together but I feel it is right to air this sensitive issue and hope both management and their teams will gain something from the public discussion of this issue," Ms Ramsden added.

Festival organisers also asked employees to submit experiences and thoughts about bullying at work.

Comments were anonymous and included the opinion that bullying was a "standard tactic" for "rubbish but self-righteous" managers.

The festival discussion will be attended by Simon Waldman, an editor at BBC News 24. He was recently asked by the corporation to look into bullying allegations within its news division.

Former theatre director and actor Kate Marlow who now helps organisations combat bullying, will also take the stage.

Influential

The annual Edinburgh TV Festival is the industry's most important UK event.

It attracts influential delegates from around the world. This year's event runs from 22 to 24 August.

It includes speeches from BBC director general Greg Dyke and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

There will also be a variety of sessions, some involving TV personalities, including Michael Barrymore and Richard Bacon.