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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> BBC seeks older female newsreader http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1253803876 Message started by Administrator on Sep 24^th, 2009, 2:52pm

Title: BBC seeks older female newsreader
Post by Administrator on Sep 24^th, 2009, 2:52pm

The BBC is actively seeking to recruit a female newsreader over the age of 50.
Director general Mark Thompson asked news director Helen Boaden to find the presenter, while reports there is a recruitment deadline have been denied.

The BBC has recently denied accusations of ageism after replacing Strictly Come Dancing Judge Arlene Phillips, 66, with former winner Alesha Dixon, 30.
A spokesman said BBC News aimed to have "the best presenters" representing "a wide range of ages and backgrounds".
He confirmed that Mr Thompson had spoken to Ms Boaden "and other directors about the need to have a broad range of presenters on air - including older women".
"News has a pretty good story to tell with Kirsty Wark, Martha Kearney and Maxine Mawhinney all flourishing - as well as highly experienced women out in the field like Bridget Kendall, Caroline Wyatt and Orla Guerin," he said.
"However, we'd be the first to say that it's important not to rest on our laurels in this area and ensure we reflect the public we serve."

We get lots of jowly white-haired men - that's no inhibitor of employment for them - but it seems to have been eliminator for women until now

He added: "And of course, this isn't an issue just for the BBC - other broadcasters face the same challenges."

Broadcaster and government adviser Dame Joan Bakewell - described as its "voice of older people" - said she was "really gratified" by the BBC's decision.
Dame Joan, 76, said she had held meetings with Mr Thompson and Ms Boaden and they had agreed there was "a case there to be answered". "I said there was a conspicuous absence of older women - of all the segments in society - that isn't seen."
"We get lots of jowly white-haired men - that's no inhibitor of employment for them - but it seems to have been eliminator for women until now.
"I'm glad it's changing."

In April 2006, after announcing she would be leaving BBC News after 30 years, Anna Ford, then 62, said she felt she would have been sidelined had she carried on at the corporation.
"I might have been shovelled off into News 24 to the sort of graveyard shift, and I wouldn't have wanted to do that because it wouldn't have interested me," she said.
Staff who were joining the BBC News team were "being brought in because they are younger", she added.
"I think that's specifically one of the reasons why they're being employed."

And in April 2007, Mr Thompson told the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee that allegations in the press that newsreader Moira Stuart - then 55 - had left the BBC because she was too old were "not true".
He said she had lost her regular TV news slot because the traditional role of the newsreader was dying out.

Last December, Selina Scott reached a settlement with TV channel Five after suing them for age discrimination.
Scott, 58, was reportedly being lined up to provide maternity cover for Five News host Natasha Kaplinsky but was subsequently overlooked.
Her lawyers said the broadcaster had apologised for offence caused and said the financial terms of the settlement would remain confidential, while a Five spokeswoman declined to comment.
Earlier in the year, Scott had complained about the lack of older female presenters on television.
"Anna Ford has retired, Moira Stuart has been bumped off, yet you look around and see lots of men," she said.

Source BBC News web-site:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8272453.stm

More coverage at:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/sep/24/bbc-ageism-mark-thompson
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/bbc-eyes-up-older-women/5006024.article

Title: Re: BBC seeks older female newsreader
Post by Peter_Neill on Sep 24^th, 2009, 9:40pm

Interesting, following Beverly Thompson's recent departure from South East Today

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent_business/news/2009/september/17/could_departures_haunt_beeb.aspx