"Communications Committee"
Lords take evidence from news journalists and ministers
4 November 2014
Three well-known female news and current affairs journalists will share their experiences of working in the industry across broadcasters with the House of Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday 4 November 2014, in the penultimate evidence session of its inquiry into the representation of women in news and current affairs broadcasting.
- Parliament TV: Women in news and current affairs broadcasting
- Inquiry: Women in news and current affairs broadcasting
- Select Committee on Communications
Witnesses
Tuesday 4 November 2014, Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster
At 3.30 pm:
- Miriam O’Reilly, a former Countryfile presenter who won an ageism case against the BBC
- Cathy Newman, who became the first female co-presenter of Channel 4 news in 2011
- Penny Marshall, the BBC’s newly-appointed Education Editor
Lines of questioning
- Why are there so few female reporters in news and current affairs?
- Are women encouraged into certain roles – for example presenting, rather than news reporting – because of an assumption that these roles are more suitable for women?
- What are the main barriers to progression for women, and how have you been able to overcome them?
- What needs to happen in the industry to achieve parity in all areas?
At 4.30 pm:
- Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, Minister for Women and Equalities
- Hon Ed Vaizey MP, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy
Lines of questioning
- The Government’s role in helping to achieve equality of representation for women, both on and off air;
- Whether progress within the industry on equality is moving too slowly; and
- The role of Ofcom in equal opportunities monitoring.