Viewers praise morning TV news for all-female presenters

Life


Viewers praise morning TV news for all-female presenters

By Harriet Hall

9 years ago

For a long time, the faces that we saw presenting TV news were men. When women did appear alongside them, they were sidelined, the men continued to have the last word, or women appeared – but only women of a certain appearance (conventionally pretty, white, young).

But it looks like things are gradually changing.

Viewers have praised both BBC Breakfast and ITV's Good Morning Britain who have, this week, opted for all-female anchors.

Normally, both morning programmes are presented by one man and one woman, with Breakfast co-hosted by male and female presenter duos including Louise Minchin, Dan Walker, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty; and Good Morning Britain by Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, Charlotte Hawkins, Sean Fletcher, Kate Garraway and Piers Morgan.

But with Piers Morgan off for a few weeks and other presenters seemingly away, the opportunity has arisen on both channels for a rare all-women show. 

This week, the BBC saw Stephanie McGovern and Naga Munchetty presenting from the Breakfast sofas, joined by reporter Sally Nugent who discussed the latest Olympics news, while Carol Kirkwood came on for her usual weather slot.

Over on ITV this week, the all-female line-up included co-hosts, Kate Garraway, Ranvir Singh and Charlotte Hawkins, while Laura Tobin presented the weather.

Viewers picked up on their man-free screens quite quickly, taking to Twitter and praising the channels for the move:

However, other viewers were a little incensed by the change, saying: 

The move brings into question the role of female quotas in society, which have been advocated for by the Women's Equality Party in order to level the playing field in certain industries. 

Praise for the all-female line-ups might have been just what television needed in a week of sexist Olympic games coverage, too. 

Images: Twitter

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