BBC's push for more female presenters on local radio breakfast shows is discussed by Alan Yentob and John Ryan. They explore challenges like contractual obligations and the slow progress in gender diversity. The podcast also covers the controversies surrounding ladsmags in supermarkets and the ethical boundaries in journalism.
Increasing female representation in broadcasting aims to address gender imbalance in prominent roles like breakfast hosts.
Debates on media ethics emerge from concerns about sexism and objectification, prompting measures like modesty bags for lad's mags.
Deep dives
Media Representation of Women in Lad's Mags and Supermarkets' Actions
Supermarkets have implemented measures to cover or remove lad's mags from display shelves due to concerns about the objectification of women in these publications. Advocates argue that these magazines perpetuate harmful attitudes towards women, impacting society's views on harassment and gender stereotypes. Despite challenges to their content, lad's mags like Zoo and FHM continue to feature suggestive images, prompting debate on their appropriateness for public display.
BBC's Gender Balance Initiative in Local Radio
BBC director general Tony Hall aims for gender balance by increasing female presenters on local radio breakfast shows. The initiative seeks to address the underrepresentation of women in broadcasting, particularly in prominent roles like breakfast hosts. Challenges arise in reshuffling schedules and contracts to achieve the gender parity target set by Hall for local radio stations across the UK.
Journalistic Integrity and Advocacy in Reporting
The discussion centers on journalistic ethics and whether reporters should remain impartial or advocate for causes. Instances like Martin Bell's promotion of humanitarian intervention in Bosnia illustrate the fine line between objective reporting and advocacy. Journalists like Bell argue that caring for the truth and impartiality can sometimes lead them to advocate for specific causes.
Challenges in Media Ethics and Regulations
Debates on media ethics and regulations arise from instances like the cooperative supermarkets requiring modesty bags for lad's mags. Advocates highlight concerns of sexism and objectification in media content and call for responsible distribution practices. Critics argue against censorship, citing the diversity of publications and the right to access different viewpoints.
The BBC's director general has said he would like to see more women hosting or co-hosting breakfast shows on the corporation's English local radio stations. He has set a new target of 50 per cent by the end of 2014; currently, just 2 breakfast programmes out of 41 have sole female presenters. Steve Hewlett speaks to the BBC's creative director Alan Yentob about the decision and asks former managing editor of BBC local radio John Ryan about the practicalities of getting more women on air. Also joining him in the discussion is media and communications consultant Lisa Kerr who considers whether quotas are the best way to achieve this. Also on today's programme; as the Co-op supermarket prepares to pull a number of lads' mags from its shelves, we ask the launch editor of Front magazine what this might mean for an already struggling magazine sector. And Stewart Purvis will be in the studio discussing his new book, which examines the lengths reporters on the front line of war and famine go to in order to get a story.
Producer: Katy Takatsuki.
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