CIISA opens reporting portal: 30 reports, and a test of what follows

The Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority opened an independent online whistleblowing portal on 13 October 2026, giving workers in film, TV, music and theatre — including live performance — a confidential channel to report harassment, discrimination, victimisation and other harmful practices covered by the CIISA Standards.

The portal did not open empty. After a soft launch in June, CIISA had received around 30 reports as at 1 October, from both organisations and individuals, across every sector it represents. Some were of what CIISA describes as a serious nature. The body expects volumes to rise now that the service is fully public, and says it has launched an initial service designed to meet demand and build insight.

CIISA was established in 2024 and was officially designated as an independent whistleblowing body by Parliament earlier this year. CIISA says it will take careful steps to protect the identity of people who come forward.

The launch lands alongside a high-profile case in the UK courts. Russell Brand faces three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy backed the portal, saying there is "absolutely no place for abuse, harassment or discrimination in the workplace" and that safety at work is non-negotiable.

The open question is what follows a report.

That is the test the portal now faces. A confidential channel that produces paperwork is a complaint box. One that produces accountability is an institution. On the evidence available, CIISA has built the first; whether it becomes the second depends on what happens to the reports it has already received.