BBC News: Presenters & Rotas

Have you ever watched the weakest link?

But if you go by the logic that there has never been a strong enough female (in your opinion) to handle this kind of show, therefore there never will be. You might miss out on somebody that might do an amazing job.


As has been pointed out people should be considered on their merits, to just write off every female broadcaster on the basis of their gender, which is what you're suggesting should happen, that is wrong in my opinion.

What an utterly sexist view of the world. You ought to be ashamed of yourself in this day and age. That frankly reeks of the Old Boys Gentleman's Club. Thankfully the world has moved on.

I can certainly give you a couple of examples - all of Ireland's presidential and election debates have been fronted by Miriam O'Callaghan on RTE, who also fronts Prime Time (the main political programme on RTE), and The Week in Politics - a weekly politics debate programme is also fronted by a woman.

The best person for the job, irrespective of sex should be appointed.

And if you look at many of the debates she hosts as I do they descent into farce with the 2011 presidential debate being a primary example of this. Its not a matter of being sexist but a simple fact is that male hosts are more likely to pertain more gravitas that female counterparts. It is no coincidence that all the great panel hosts throughout the years have been men and in my view there is a reason for this.

You understand the concept of free speech, right? If this forum was attempting to censor his views on the basis that they didn't fit with Asa, Jon or anyone else's own viewpoint, that would be one thing. But you can't on one hand argue 'Live at five' is entitled to his own opinions, and entitled to voice them publicly, and then suggest another forum member is in some way in the wrong for having his own opinion on the stated idiotic views.

Free speech and having a 'right' to your opinions is a fairly personal right in that it really affect anyone else - the rest of the world has the right to ignore such views, dismiss them, criticise them or rip them apart for being fundamentally misogynistic or otherwise prejudiced against women.


As for Live at Five's views: If you're going to make such extreme, controversial comments at least back them up with evidence. Jo Coburn - the very name that started this discussion - is to me a good example of a female broadcaster who is able to maintain control of a panel, while also steering an interesting, fruitful debate of politicians of (usually) different persuasions. That she is frequently undermined when on screen with Andrew Neil isn't really to discredit her in anyway, as everyone is undermined when on screen with Andrew Neil.

Other names that would surely rebuke your theory: Martha Kearney, Sarah Montague and the Newsnight trio all have proven records when it comes to the panel discussions you mention. There are many, many others who I have no doubt would be just as admirable as any man - Lyse Doucet, for example, has one of the sharpest, focused minds on television.

Sorry, that's all "in my esteemed opinion".

Nice Budget aftermath in Downing Street tonight from Twitter



Are they the three stooges?

(and yes this is in three threads!)

Haven't we really been spoilt with the high-quality of Question-Time hosts and I'd argue there is nobody with the gravitas of David Dimbleby but that's not surprising as that takes decades to build and command that respect and at the same time make it appear it so natural. Therefore, this is obviously at odds with the amount of females that historically have been within the industry and have had the time and opportunities to develop their experience.

This topic kind of reminds me of Nicholas Parsons actually, and I'm sure many people would also agree that Sandi Toksvig is probably the best 'News Quiz' presenter there's been. Albeit i've already steered the discussion to comedy, but look at the gender make-up on the TV circuit as well to see how for one reason or another, female talent out their is not getting the chance to develop.

I know it's already been said, but this post is disgusting. I didn't think giving kudos to the others disagreeing with you was enough to express how vile it is, in this day and age, that anyone could hold that view and believe in it with any sincerity.

Couldn't agree more. It's actually absurd. Would a panel hosted by Anderson Cooper possibly turn into a steaming hot gay orgy?

You must have been watching a different debate than I was. In fact it was the debate hosted by a man that descended into farce.

Miriam O'Callagham is well able to deal competently with any politician and get the necessary answers, as is Áine Lawlor. The fact that both of Ireland's premier political panel programmes are competently hosted by women sort of blows your theory out the window.

Any news on the replacement for Carrie Gracie on the NC yet? Has she started in Beijing yet?

I think some of the replies here are complete balderdash. I was merely pointing out an observation that I have noticed over many years. I believe Anderson Cooper to be one of the most proficient presenters I have ever seen. When I look back over panel debates I am firm in my view that male hosts control debates far more efficiently that female counterparts. Examples of the great debate hosts include Dimbleby both David and Jonathan, John Bowman, Jim Lehrer to name a few. My argument is that there is a reason why all three hosts of the General Election debate of 2010 were male and why there has only been one female host of an Americal Presedential election debate in the last 20 years. There is a reason for this and I am putting my head above the parapet giving reasoning to why male hosts are superior in a panel and debate format.