Post by Teddy Bear on Aug 2, 2009 16:28:17 GMT
I've come to the conclusion that the BBC 'Ageist' bias is simply due to the fact that it easier to improve their ratings by appealing to those within our society who have little discernment or discrimination about what constitutes good quality programming - in other words our youth.
Culture Secretary wades into Strictly Come Dancing ageism row as he warns BBC against 'cult of youth'
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has warned the BBC not to pander to the 'cult of youth' in the wake of the removal of 66-year-old dance expert Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing.
Mr Bradshaw said it would 'not be acceptable' if Ms Phillips was replaced purely on grounds of her age, though he accepted that BBC bosses may have had other reasons for their decision.
Although party sources stressed that this is not Conservative policy and has not been discussed as a potential policy, Mr Vaizey said there was 'a good argument' for allowing private broadcasters to use the nationwide FM frequency.
Commenting on the axing of Ms Phillips in favour of by 30-year-old former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon, Mr Bradshaw told the Sunday Mirror: "The cult of youth has its limits and rightly so.
'With more and more of the population over 60 and that trend set to continue in years to come, I think the BBC and other organisations will have to reflect that in terms of the people they have on air. It's important they reflect society as a whole.'
Asked about claims the BBC wanted a younger judge to replace Ms Phillips, Mr Bradshaw says: 'If that is the reason they did it, that would clearly not be acceptable. They may have other reasons.
'It's very important - particularly when we have a growing elderly population whom we want to encourage to be active - that we should be employing more people on television in their 60s and even older.'
Ms Phillips' replacement after four years on Strictly Come Dancing sparked controversy when it was announced last month, with Equalities Minister Harriet Harman telling the House of Commons she suspected age discrimination and calling on the BBC to reinstate her.
Mr Bradshaw, whose partner Neal Dalgleish is a BBC World producer, also indicated that he would like to see the BBC publish the salaries of high-earning presenters such as Jonathan Ross.
The corporation 'has a duty to be as transparent and open as it possibly can' over pay and perks, he said, adding: 'Perhaps some of the salaries and packages that they've offered in the past can no longer be justified.'
Mr Bradshaw also defended the right of Lord Sugar to keep The Apprentice despite claims of a conflict of interest with his new position as a Government-appointed peer.
'I don't think there's a problem at all,' he said. 'It's not a political show. It's not as if he is doing news and current affairs.'
A one-time journalist, Mr Bradshaw also revealed his fears for local newspapers, which he described as 'the lifeblood of our democracy'.
He feared town hall propoganda sheets were having a detrimental effect on them, with vast amounts of taxpayers' money wasted on producing misleading information.
Mr Bradshaw also used the interview to claim that the next election is still 'totally winnable' for the Labour Party.
'We can come back as the underdogs with Gordon Brown as the Comeback Kid and win.'
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has warned the BBC not to pander to the 'cult of youth' in the wake of the removal of 66-year-old dance expert Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing.
Mr Bradshaw said it would 'not be acceptable' if Ms Phillips was replaced purely on grounds of her age, though he accepted that BBC bosses may have had other reasons for their decision.
Although party sources stressed that this is not Conservative policy and has not been discussed as a potential policy, Mr Vaizey said there was 'a good argument' for allowing private broadcasters to use the nationwide FM frequency.
Commenting on the axing of Ms Phillips in favour of by 30-year-old former Strictly winner Alesha Dixon, Mr Bradshaw told the Sunday Mirror: "The cult of youth has its limits and rightly so.
'With more and more of the population over 60 and that trend set to continue in years to come, I think the BBC and other organisations will have to reflect that in terms of the people they have on air. It's important they reflect society as a whole.'
Asked about claims the BBC wanted a younger judge to replace Ms Phillips, Mr Bradshaw says: 'If that is the reason they did it, that would clearly not be acceptable. They may have other reasons.
'It's very important - particularly when we have a growing elderly population whom we want to encourage to be active - that we should be employing more people on television in their 60s and even older.'
Ms Phillips' replacement after four years on Strictly Come Dancing sparked controversy when it was announced last month, with Equalities Minister Harriet Harman telling the House of Commons she suspected age discrimination and calling on the BBC to reinstate her.
Mr Bradshaw, whose partner Neal Dalgleish is a BBC World producer, also indicated that he would like to see the BBC publish the salaries of high-earning presenters such as Jonathan Ross.
The corporation 'has a duty to be as transparent and open as it possibly can' over pay and perks, he said, adding: 'Perhaps some of the salaries and packages that they've offered in the past can no longer be justified.'
Mr Bradshaw also defended the right of Lord Sugar to keep The Apprentice despite claims of a conflict of interest with his new position as a Government-appointed peer.
'I don't think there's a problem at all,' he said. 'It's not a political show. It's not as if he is doing news and current affairs.'
A one-time journalist, Mr Bradshaw also revealed his fears for local newspapers, which he described as 'the lifeblood of our democracy'.
He feared town hall propoganda sheets were having a detrimental effect on them, with vast amounts of taxpayers' money wasted on producing misleading information.
Mr Bradshaw also used the interview to claim that the next election is still 'totally winnable' for the Labour Party.
'We can come back as the underdogs with Gordon Brown as the Comeback Kid and win.'