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Question Time, QI and Mock the Week criticised by BBC diversity report Question Time, QI and Mock the Week criticised by BBC diversity report
(about 4 hours later)
BBC1's Question Time and Mock the Week have been criticised in a report about television diversity for featuring "token women" on their panels.BBC1's Question Time and Mock the Week have been criticised in a report about television diversity for featuring "token women" on their panels.
The panel shows were singled out, along with BBC2's QI, for failing to put enough female faces on screen.The panel shows were singled out, along with BBC2's QI, for failing to put enough female faces on screen.
Commissioned by the BBC for the Cultural Diversity Network, the report said there was a tendency in drama, comedy and entertainment programmes to feature older people as "peripheral or token figures".Commissioned by the BBC for the Cultural Diversity Network, the report said there was a tendency in drama, comedy and entertainment programmes to feature older people as "peripheral or token figures".
Viewers described them as "props for other stories" rather than a central character.Viewers described them as "props for other stories" rather than a central character.
There was praise for characters such as the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, Patrick Trueman in EastEnders and Coronation Street's Betty Turpin for their positive portrayal of older people.There was praise for characters such as the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, Patrick Trueman in EastEnders and Coronation Street's Betty Turpin for their positive portrayal of older people.
But there was a mixed verdict on another BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing, with concern that older contestants such as Ann Widdecombe were only being included as "figures of fun".But there was a mixed verdict on another BBC1 show, Strictly Come Dancing, with concern that older contestants such as Ann Widdecombe were only being included as "figures of fun".
"Whilst Strictly Come Dancing was commended as a programme that included contestants from a range of ages it was also felt to sometimes mock and at worst be exploitative of certain older contestants," said the report published on Tuesday."Whilst Strictly Come Dancing was commended as a programme that included contestants from a range of ages it was also felt to sometimes mock and at worst be exploitative of certain older contestants," said the report published on Tuesday.
It was part of a trend in the media identified by viewers of mocking older people and characters in comedy and drama.It was part of a trend in the media identified by viewers of mocking older people and characters in comedy and drama.
A 72-year-old viewer, one of 180 people of all ages who took part in the survey, said: "We didn't like older people making a fool of themselves on telly, producers and directors … are taking advantage and are using it for entertainment.A 72-year-old viewer, one of 180 people of all ages who took part in the survey, said: "We didn't like older people making a fool of themselves on telly, producers and directors … are taking advantage and are using it for entertainment.
"An example of this would be [Strictly] Come Dancing … its just embarrassing … I don't like seeing older folk being exploited.""An example of this would be [Strictly] Come Dancing … its just embarrassing … I don't like seeing older folk being exploited."
Broadcasters were also criticised for dropping newsreaders and entertainment presenters, such as Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, who lost their jobs allegedly due to their age.Broadcasters were also criticised for dropping newsreaders and entertainment presenters, such as Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips, who lost their jobs allegedly due to their age.
The report said viewers felt these presenters had been treated unfairly, "particularly when they had been replaced with what people felt were less qualified but younger, more attractive women".The report said viewers felt these presenters had been treated unfairly, "particularly when they had been replaced with what people felt were less qualified but younger, more attractive women".
Viewers said older women were treated differently to older men, such as Sir David Attenborough, Sir Bruce Forsyth and a "host of newsreaders" for whom their age "appeared to be seen as advantageous".Viewers said older women were treated differently to older men, such as Sir David Attenborough, Sir Bruce Forsyth and a "host of newsreaders" for whom their age "appeared to be seen as advantageous".
One viewer said: "Getting rid of all these older newsreaders, and bringing in young, glamorous kind of females ... you're kind of forgetting the older person … which they shouldn't because it's nice to grow up to older faces, and more mature faces, rather than just having women in their young 20s that haven't really got the experience."One viewer said: "Getting rid of all these older newsreaders, and bringing in young, glamorous kind of females ... you're kind of forgetting the older person … which they shouldn't because it's nice to grow up to older faces, and more mature faces, rather than just having women in their young 20s that haven't really got the experience."
BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale was referenced as an older presenter who had been "ousted" from TV but continued to appear on the radio. BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale was referenced as an older presenter who is not seen on TV.
The report said: "There was concern that there were no female equivalents of David Attenborough and that male newsreaders were often much older than their female equivalents."The report said: "There was concern that there were no female equivalents of David Attenborough and that male newsreaders were often much older than their female equivalents."
A panel of industry experts who took part in the survey acknowledged that TV programmes can sometimes portray older people as the "adorable idiot".A panel of industry experts who took part in the survey acknowledged that TV programmes can sometimes portray older people as the "adorable idiot".
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