'No dogs, please' - you're on camera, ladies
By Jayne Warren - 27/03/2009
Last year people attending a Gender Conference with the Federation of International Artists (FIA) in London gasped when they heard an actress read out a casting brief for a job which stipulated "No dogs, please!".
Such an obviously insulting and sexist remark would have caused an outcry were it to have described race, creed or disability, but it is deemed fair game or even "funny" when applied to older people in the media - and especially older women. Yet why, when 51% of the population is female, and 44% of that percentage are over 45? Where is the true representation of older people in the media?
Just one week earlier, film director Michael Winner said on BBC Radio “I don’t want to see old dears reading the news” in response to an article written by Dame Joan Bakewell which asked: "Where are the wrinkly female equivalents of Trevor McDonald, Peter Sissons, Nick Owen and Jon Snow? They are never there as the professional equivalent of older men.” How true. But given that performers are paid to represent society to itself, surely the current unrepresentational nature of older people in the media can only serve to reinforce negative and unhealthy attitudes towards aging?
Jean Rogers, who was in 'Emmerdale' for over ten years and is now Vice-President of the Actors Union Equity and member of the Euro FIA steering group told us: "A campaign by The Stage newspaper showed that 75% of people feel that older women are under represented in the media, and as a result we have recently started a viewers petition calling for Equal Representation in TV/Film drama. We want the general public to have their voices heard about what they want to see on their screens.
Surely drama has to reflect our society, not simply portray women as trivialised and emotionally needy - as they so often do now."
The petition already has three and half thousand signatures, alongside comments about the role TV commissioning editors and Arts Councils can play when they apportion funding. Jean said: "We are asking for drama to reflect society - not for women to take over the world! One male signatory told us 'It chimes with my complaint to the BBC that women were being trivialised in a number of BBC comedies. While that approach persists, there will be few proper roles for mature women - as Meryl Streep, Susan Sarandon and others have been complaining about '."
Jean also told us that many older male actors are now feeling the hand of age discrimination on them too. One commented: "I am just beginning to understand what it must be like for you women." And it is just as bad in the area of TV presenters. For example, where are the equivalent of presenters like the wonderful Nicholas Parsons - now 85 years old?
Actress Pauline Moran said: “Getting through the interview room door is an almost insurmountable obstacle, once your true age is known. It is as though no one can see you as you actually are. My agent told me I should get rid of my red hair and most of all I should cut it, as it was not like older women wore theirs! Proof positive of the collection of stereotypes through which the older actress is viewed.”
Jean believes that there is a "huge battle" ahead to change perceptions - as ageism, combined with sexism, seems to be the last "allowable" prejudice in the media. But she has confidence that the Council of Europe, which is already working to promote gender equality across its 47 member states, presents a potential platform for change.
And as for Michael Winner's comments, Jean said: "Well, Michael, judging by the exciting, positive energy and commitment shown at the Gender Conference, I think you’re not only wrong, but barking – up the wrong tree I mean!"
To add your name to the petition go to the website linked below.
What are YOUR views on ageism in the media? email jayne.warren@maturetimes.co.uk