Gender

However, research by Professor Lis Howell of City, University of London, shows that average ratios of male to female experts have improved over the past two years to 2.2:1.

Yet in some quarters, the drive to increase the number of expert women on specific television news programmes has stalled – and in some cases, numbers have actually worsened.

The findings are the result of a study conducted by the university, and the full results have been announced today at City’s Women on Air conference.

Why, 46 years after the Equal Pay Act, are women in television still being paid less than men? “A man at exactly the same grade as me, with far less education and experience, and who joined the BBC after I did, was paid £10,000 more than me,” says one female staffer. 

“I am paid £5,000 less than a man on the same grade, despite having more responsibility and having worked more years on the team,” ­complains another. 

Young people with a passion for broadcasting and filmmaking have been celebrated at one of the region’s most prestigious media events.

The University of Sunderland hosted the RTS North East and Border Centre, Young Peoples’ Media Festival (YPMF) on Wednesday 18 May. The festival celebrates work from students, schools and colleges throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria.