Too Old, Too Maternal and Too Female - Discrimination in Television News
Tracey Spicer, a Network Ten Newsreader of 14 years, has been sacked via email shortly after returning from maternity leave. A representative of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance believes that it is due to her age and family situation that Spicer has been given the flick. Other experts say that this sort of discrimination is the result of an old school and ‘blokey’ culture within the senior management of television stations.
While it is hard to make a decision on this issue without knowing all the facts, it does appear that this sort of sexism is a significant factor in television news and current affairs. A quick scan of the newscasters will tell you that the average age of the female presenters tends to be lower than that of the men. It would appear that Network Executives are of the view that women have a use-by-date. They get to a certain age, or choose to have a family, and are shown the door.
In other news, Naomi Robson has announced that she is leaving Today Tonight. Critics claim that her image was how she gained her position at Channel Seven, rather than any journalistic prowess. Despite a particularly embarrassing year for Robson, she was not given the boot - rumours are even circulating that she will host a new vehicle for Seven. Is this an example of a network treating an employee fairly, or discrimination? If Robson were a less attractive woman, would she have lost her job?
So, do you think the old boys management structure exists in Network Television in Australia? Is discrimination rampant? Or is it all a media beat up? Does this happen in other countries as well?
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification
Ten News*
While it is hard to make a decision on this issue without knowing all the facts, it does appear that this sort of sexism is a significant factor in television news and current affairs. A quick scan of the newscasters will tell you that the average age of the female presenters tends to be lower than that of the men. It would appear that Network Executives are of the view that women have a use-by-date. They get to a certain age, or choose to have a family, and are shown the door.
In other news, Naomi Robson has announced that she is leaving Today Tonight. Critics claim that her image was how she gained her position at Channel Seven, rather than any journalistic prowess. Despite a particularly embarrassing year for Robson, she was not given the boot - rumours are even circulating that she will host a new vehicle for Seven. Is this an example of a network treating an employee fairly, or discrimination? If Robson were a less attractive woman, would she have lost her job?
So, do you think the old boys management structure exists in Network Television in Australia? Is discrimination rampant? Or is it all a media beat up? Does this happen in other countries as well?
*Image courtesy of Wikipedia, and used under Fair Dealing for identification
Formula 1
The Social Centre
As for gaining a position on a current affiars program like Today Tonight, journalistic prowess is the absolute last thing considered.
Mum's Word
As for Naomi Robson, she just doesn't seem credible. That's not to say that she doesn't have a brain in her head but somehow it just doesn't translate through the television screen.
Again not very useful, but I read in an article today (somewhere - maybe smh.com.au) that Australia is the worst when it comes to the age of female presenters. Other countries have more older female news presenters than Australia.
Mum's Word
No not Jennifer Hansen. Don't even think I know her.
I think it was a Channel 9 presenter...maybe. Leave it with me. It will come to me at 3am I'm sure.
BTW, looking forward to your Tripping Over Ep 6 review. Good call about the kid.
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Newsreaders ain't no different.
Vimal, nice sentiment champ but it is ratings that count.
And ratings reflect viewer 'sentiment'.
Which in turn reflects advertiser 'sentiment'.
Jenny Hansen got offered a spot on Adelaide news but knocked it back. She was so upset that her her husband (aka Dr Carl Kennedy - both very loyal Collingwood people) still works for the network albeit via Grundys.
What you need to remember is that EVERYBODY who works in television has taken somebody else's spot.
Celebrity Obsession
I'm just appalled that they sacked her via email. It doesn't matter what the reason is, you don't sack someone who has worked for you for 14 years by email. Doing it that way also gives you the impression that their motives weren't pure and that her age did have something to do with it.
Very poor on Channel 10's part.
The Tripping Over Review is up now if you want to check it out.
Flashes of memories
Mum's Word
I know it's like 10 months on but I finally found out who the other female presenter was ......Kim Watkins. I was reading a profile on her in today's Sun Herald and she sued Channel 9 in 2005 after returning 4 months after having her second child and finding that she wasn't getting regular news reading shifts.
Alright...tick that one off my list.
Love & stuff
Mrs M