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Miller's attack on BBC over Inverdale gives us hope Miller's attack on BBC over Inverdale gives us hope
(2 months later)
Since her appointment last September, it has been surprisingly hard to cheer the culture secretary, Maria Miller, in her role as minister responsible for women and equalities. Until now.Since her appointment last September, it has been surprisingly hard to cheer the culture secretary, Maria Miller, in her role as minister responsible for women and equalities. Until now.
In a letter to the BBC about its coverage of the Wimbledon women's final, in which presenter John Inverdale referred to the champion, Marion Bartoli, as "not a looker", Miller criticises the broadcaster for its sexist coverage and asks what "further action" is to be taken.In a letter to the BBC about its coverage of the Wimbledon women's final, in which presenter John Inverdale referred to the champion, Marion Bartoli, as "not a looker", Miller criticises the broadcaster for its sexist coverage and asks what "further action" is to be taken.
Now, the cynical among you may point out that this intervention is a bit late (the comments were made two weeks ago), were published on the front page of the Daily Mail, a paper with its own interesting view of women, and comes from a government not known for its firm stance on equality issues, but none of these entirely obscures the central point. Tory MP attacks the BBC may not be a story, but Tory minister attacks the broadcaster for its sexist sports coverage is a very good story indeed.Now, the cynical among you may point out that this intervention is a bit late (the comments were made two weeks ago), were published on the front page of the Daily Mail, a paper with its own interesting view of women, and comes from a government not known for its firm stance on equality issues, but none of these entirely obscures the central point. Tory MP attacks the BBC may not be a story, but Tory minister attacks the broadcaster for its sexist sports coverage is a very good story indeed.
In her letter to the director general, Lord Hall, Miller writes: "I am sure you will agree with me that it is vital that young women and girls in this country feel motivated both to take part in and to watch coverage of sport, and to know that they are included in the enjoyment of sport, and catered for by the media just as much as the male audience."In her letter to the director general, Lord Hall, Miller writes: "I am sure you will agree with me that it is vital that young women and girls in this country feel motivated both to take part in and to watch coverage of sport, and to know that they are included in the enjoyment of sport, and catered for by the media just as much as the male audience."
Coming just a few days after Miller criticised the fact that the Open golf championship, which starts on Thursday, is held at a club that refuses to allow women to become members, Muirfield in Scotland, her letter suggests that she may be getting serious about the Olympic legacy that was supposed to increase participation in sport. Nowhere is this increased participation needed more than among women and girls.Coming just a few days after Miller criticised the fact that the Open golf championship, which starts on Thursday, is held at a club that refuses to allow women to become members, Muirfield in Scotland, her letter suggests that she may be getting serious about the Olympic legacy that was supposed to increase participation in sport. Nowhere is this increased participation needed more than among women and girls.
According to the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, only half as many girls as boys take the recommended amount of exercise at 15 and by the time they are adults, 80% of women don't do enough exercise to stay healthy. Even more women believe that female athletes are better role models than celebrities.According to the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, only half as many girls as boys take the recommended amount of exercise at 15 and by the time they are adults, 80% of women don't do enough exercise to stay healthy. Even more women believe that female athletes are better role models than celebrities.
And yet the media, which is so responsible for the portrayal of such role models, lets us down time and again by focusing on a woman's looks and not her achievements. Sports journalists feel able to refer to a female winner in a sexist and derogatory way during one of her greatest triumphs (no, they really don't do that when men win something) while another highlight of the British sporting calendar is held at a club where women are not even allowed.And yet the media, which is so responsible for the portrayal of such role models, lets us down time and again by focusing on a woman's looks and not her achievements. Sports journalists feel able to refer to a female winner in a sexist and derogatory way during one of her greatest triumphs (no, they really don't do that when men win something) while another highlight of the British sporting calendar is held at a club where women are not even allowed.
Although Inverdale apologised the next day and wrote to Bartoli he seemed surprised by the fuss, saying he did so "if [my italics] any offence had been caused".Although Inverdale apologised the next day and wrote to Bartoli he seemed surprised by the fuss, saying he did so "if [my italics] any offence had been caused".
Much of the campaigning about such coverage focuses on the paltry amount devoted to women's sports (just 5% of total coverage) and even more pitiful amount of sponsorship given to all women's sports, just 0.5% for 50% of the population.Much of the campaigning about such coverage focuses on the paltry amount devoted to women's sports (just 5% of total coverage) and even more pitiful amount of sponsorship given to all women's sports, just 0.5% for 50% of the population.
But the problem has its roots in cultural assumptions about women and achievement. In last year's study by Women in Journalism on pictures used on the front pages of all nine national newspapers in the UK, the top 10 men nearly all wore suits to denote their political or business leadership role or sports kit to denote their success on track or field. The top three women or girls were the Duchess of Cambridge, her sister Pippa Middleton and Madeleine McCann.But the problem has its roots in cultural assumptions about women and achievement. In last year's study by Women in Journalism on pictures used on the front pages of all nine national newspapers in the UK, the top 10 men nearly all wore suits to denote their political or business leadership role or sports kit to denote their success on track or field. The top three women or girls were the Duchess of Cambridge, her sister Pippa Middleton and Madeleine McCann.
It was just one month's worth of front pages but that says a lot about what it takes if you're female to be noticed by our mainstream media – you have a chance if you're pretty enough to sell newspapers or a victim of an awful crime.It was just one month's worth of front pages but that says a lot about what it takes if you're female to be noticed by our mainstream media – you have a chance if you're pretty enough to sell newspapers or a victim of an awful crime.
On page 15 of the same Daily Mail that splashes the story about Miller's intervention is a full-page profile comparing the incoming Today presenter – the Radio 4 flagship's first ever Asian woman – with the veteran broadcaster John Humphrys. Its headline? The Rottweiler vs Dishy Mishy. A woman who covered the Iraq war from Washington DC and was part of the BBC's Olympics team is described as "an almond-eyed beauty … [whose] gaze is as steamy as a pan of slimmer's spinach". Suffice to say, Humphrys's nickname owes nothing to his physical resemblance to a wrinkled dog.On page 15 of the same Daily Mail that splashes the story about Miller's intervention is a full-page profile comparing the incoming Today presenter – the Radio 4 flagship's first ever Asian woman – with the veteran broadcaster John Humphrys. Its headline? The Rottweiler vs Dishy Mishy. A woman who covered the Iraq war from Washington DC and was part of the BBC's Olympics team is described as "an almond-eyed beauty … [whose] gaze is as steamy as a pan of slimmer's spinach". Suffice to say, Humphrys's nickname owes nothing to his physical resemblance to a wrinkled dog.
Will the summer of sport really see an end to sexism in sport and its coverage? There are some glimmers of hope. The BBC is currently covering and heavily promoting the women's Euro 13 football championship and viewing figures compare favourably to events such as the British Lions final. Stylist magazine launched its own Fair Game campaign to end sexism in sport.Will the summer of sport really see an end to sexism in sport and its coverage? There are some glimmers of hope. The BBC is currently covering and heavily promoting the women's Euro 13 football championship and viewing figures compare favourably to events such as the British Lions final. Stylist magazine launched its own Fair Game campaign to end sexism in sport.
Miller is understood to have met broadcasters a number of times over the last year to encourage them to improve coverage of women's sports and the new bosses at the BBC at least appear ready to listen. Inverdale was told that his comments were "unacceptable and that an incident of this nature must never happen again".Miller is understood to have met broadcasters a number of times over the last year to encourage them to improve coverage of women's sports and the new bosses at the BBC at least appear ready to listen. Inverdale was told that his comments were "unacceptable and that an incident of this nature must never happen again".
Hurrah – the sun is shining and I'm full of positive feeling. Perhaps Miller can now turn her attention to Westminster?Hurrah – the sun is shining and I'm full of positive feeling. Perhaps Miller can now turn her attention to Westminster?
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