BBC Radio 4's flagship Today show has long been criticised for a lack of female voices and now it's making steps to redress the balance.

The long-running current affairs programme has hired TV newsreader Mishal Husain as a presenter, making her the second woman to join the show since it began in 1957, and the show's first host from an ethnic minority.

Husain, 40, will work alongside Sarah Montague, who joined in 2002, and Evan Davis, James Naughtie, John Humphrys and Justin Webb.

"I have long been an admirer of Today and am delighted to have the opportunity to join the team," said Husain. "The programme has unparalleled influence across BBC News and on our national conversation and I am looking forward to being part of it."

Tony Hall, BBC director general, added: "It is such great news that Mishal will be joining the Today programme. She is a first-rate journalist who will be an excellent addition to what is already a very strong team.

"I am also particularly pleased that her appointment means there will be another female voice on the programme, which I believe is extremely important."

Only last week a study by campaigning group Sound Women found that listeners are 10 times more likely to hear a man on the radio, as only 20% of solo voices aired on radio is female.

Words: Anna Pollitt. Images: BBC