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Harriet Harman Attacks BBC

Equality minister Harriet Harman has attacked the BBC for "not valuing" older female newsreaders.

Harman told the BBC's World This Weekend female newsreaders had to be 10 years younger than male equivalents.

She said: "It's essentially an old-fashioned attitude that thinks you can't value the experience and wisdom of an older woman."

The BBC has pledged to appoint more older female news readers following criticism for "ageism".

Harman said: "I think that the broadcast media finds it possible to value the older man but I don't think they find it possible to value the older woman.

I think they're wasting a lot of talent and annoying a lot of viewers

"To be a BBC news presenter as a woman you have to be 10 years younger than the men.

"They should be very careful about it and I think they should be anxious and worried about it... and I think they're wasting a lot of talent and annoying a lot of viewers."

Harman's intervention follows widespread criticism of the BBC for its perceived discrimination against older female presenters.

08:00 January 03 2010 - waveguide.co.uk

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