BAI Code is a missed opportunity

Published: Monday, April 08, 2013

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) today expressed disappointment at the new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) 'Code on Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs'.

 Speaking on behalf of the NWCI, Eóin Murray said,

'Current affairs media is often the first draft of government policy, yet fewer than 1 in 4 voices on-air are women.  Our media is another place of power where women are denied access.  The BAI have applied a narrow, legal definition of 'fairness'.  The Code could have been a race to the top; instead it misses this opportunity to create more diverse news content."

The Code sets out to promote transparency and accountability of news media to citizens.  However, it does not provide any guidelines for broadcasters on diversity in the media.   Although the BAI acknowledges the importance of increasing women's representation it has not stipulated any action plan to achieve this.

Eóin Murray continued,

'Major UK Broadcasters take this issue seriously.  They have signed a 'Creative Diversity Pledge' to ensure media reflects society.  But despite some positive actions (eg. Tonight with VB  & Prime Time), Irish current affairs broadcasting is wholly male-dominated.   The BAI should lead the industry with a new 'Code on Diversity in Programming', which supports its other relevant Codes, on Fairness and on Programme Standards.'

For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, NWCI, Tel. 085 858 9104