Lords quiz academics and campaign groups on women in the media
The House of Lords Communications Committee's new inquiry into the representation of women in news and current affairs broadcasting will kick off on Tuesday 21 October. They will question leading academics and vocal supporters of change in the industry on employment, casting and participation.
The Committee are investigating how women are represented in the sector, both on-air and behind the scenes. Questioning will include issues such as the legal and regulatory obligations affecting broadcasters in relation to gender balance, the extent to which there gender balance is an issue in broadcasting and if so, how gender equality could be achieved.
At 3.30pm, the Committee will question Professor Suzanne Franks, author of ‘Women in Journalism' and Professor of Journalism at City University, and Professor Karen Ross, Professor of Media at Northumbria University.
Following on, at 4.30pm, the Committee will speak to:
- Kate Kinninmont, Chief Executive of Women in Film and TV (UK);
- Jane Martinson, Head of Media at The Guardian and committee member of Women in Journalism; and
- Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists.
The Committee will use the sessions to explore with the witnesses issues such as the current situation for women working in news and current affairs broadcasting, both on air and behind the scenes; how the situation for women working in news and current affairs broadcasting compares to that of women working in other parts of the industry; their views on why there is a dearth of women – particularly older women – in news and current affairs; and why there seem to be more older women working in news and current affairs broadcasting in other countries (such as US, Estonia and Romania) as compared to the UK.
The evidence session will take place on Tuesday 21 October at 3.30pm in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
