Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 5, 2011 21:14:23 GMT
This story illustrates the token manner in which the BBC addresses an acknowledged failing. Their half-assed fix in addressing ageism within their ranks shows they really see nothing wrong with it themselves, but just satisfying to the minimal degree any out-cry.
Mark Thompson's BBC anti-ageism policy is just a PR stunt, says Carole Walker
Carole Walker, one of the four older women hired as BBC newsreaders in a bid to combat accusations of ageism at the corporation, has branded the initiative as “nothing more than a PR stunt” after she was given just one presenting shift in three months.
By Rosa Prince and Neil Midgley 7:30AM BST 05 Apr 2011
Walker, 51, has criticised the BBC’s director-general, Mark Thompson, for not delivering on his promises to combat perceptions of ageism in BBC TV news.
In a letter to the BBC’s in-house magazine, Ariel, Walker said: “It is now 16 months since the BBC announced that I was to be one of four older women presenters on the BBC News channel. Last year I was given fewer than 20 days in the role. This year so far I have been given one presenting shift.
“Those who warned the initiative was nothing more than a PR stunt after the Miriam O’Reilly tribunal are being proved right.”
Walker’s comments will come as a blow to Mr Thompson, who has been trying to improve the corporation’s record on ageism after the high-profile sackings of Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, now 67, and Countryfile presenter O’Reilly, 54.
Although O’Reilly is understood to be in negotiations to return to the BBC, Walker criticised Mr Thompson for not delivering on previous pledges to increase the number of older women on screen.
“I would be more impressed by Mark Thompson’s latest pledge to find more opportunities for older women if he had delivered on his previous promises on the issue,” said Walker.
It is understood that Walker’s frustrations are shared by other older women presenters at the BBC. Walker was named as a BBC News channel presenter late in 2009, along with Zeinab Badawi, 51, Fiona Armstrong, 54, and Julia Somerville, 63.
* Older actresses are restricted to roles in sitcoms unless their name is Dame Helen Mirren, claims Caroline Quentin.
The star of Men Behaving Badly, who turned 50 last year, said she had given up hope of being cast in a drama and is now concentrating on comedies and the occasional documentary.
“There’s no place for me in serious drama. As a woman you can be funny and 50, but you can’t do much else - unless you’re Helen Mirren,” she said in a withering assessment of the British television industry.
Carole Walker, one of the four older women hired as BBC newsreaders in a bid to combat accusations of ageism at the corporation, has branded the initiative as “nothing more than a PR stunt” after she was given just one presenting shift in three months.
By Rosa Prince and Neil Midgley 7:30AM BST 05 Apr 2011
Walker, 51, has criticised the BBC’s director-general, Mark Thompson, for not delivering on his promises to combat perceptions of ageism in BBC TV news.
In a letter to the BBC’s in-house magazine, Ariel, Walker said: “It is now 16 months since the BBC announced that I was to be one of four older women presenters on the BBC News channel. Last year I was given fewer than 20 days in the role. This year so far I have been given one presenting shift.
“Those who warned the initiative was nothing more than a PR stunt after the Miriam O’Reilly tribunal are being proved right.”
Walker’s comments will come as a blow to Mr Thompson, who has been trying to improve the corporation’s record on ageism after the high-profile sackings of Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, now 67, and Countryfile presenter O’Reilly, 54.
Although O’Reilly is understood to be in negotiations to return to the BBC, Walker criticised Mr Thompson for not delivering on previous pledges to increase the number of older women on screen.
“I would be more impressed by Mark Thompson’s latest pledge to find more opportunities for older women if he had delivered on his previous promises on the issue,” said Walker.
It is understood that Walker’s frustrations are shared by other older women presenters at the BBC. Walker was named as a BBC News channel presenter late in 2009, along with Zeinab Badawi, 51, Fiona Armstrong, 54, and Julia Somerville, 63.
* Older actresses are restricted to roles in sitcoms unless their name is Dame Helen Mirren, claims Caroline Quentin.
The star of Men Behaving Badly, who turned 50 last year, said she had given up hope of being cast in a drama and is now concentrating on comedies and the occasional documentary.
“There’s no place for me in serious drama. As a woman you can be funny and 50, but you can’t do much else - unless you’re Helen Mirren,” she said in a withering assessment of the British television industry.