Women analysts and experts *referendum warning*

[OlennasWimple]

Apart from a couple of female MPs, the BBC's coverage of the referendum was depressingly stuffed with older, white, middle class men. And in the days since, I've seen a couple of articles mostly lacking in real analysis and discussion by female journalists, but most of the real dissection has been by men. Why? Surely there are some female constitutional experts out there? Or does having ovaries render one unable to analyze ground-breaking political events?

[OlennasWimple]

Well, I haven't said anywhere that this is the single most important thing. So to re-state my point: we are at a critical juncture, and the voices we are hearing (which do affect how we think and feel about the situation and the options for the road ahead) are predominantly white, middle class older men. I do think that this is problematic

[Felascloak]

Nicola Sturgeon is an odious careerist very surprised to hear you say that lass given your own career and views on career progression generally. I wouldn't have thought you would perceive someone being careerist as a bad thing.
Personally I think all the politicians are odious. At least NS hasn't been telling great outright lies to get her way. She's passionate about Scotland too - I wish we (I am English) has some politicians that cared about us rather than used the electorate to further their own leadership ideals.
I hope Theresa May is the next leader of the conservatives.

[scallopsrgreat]

I agree Olenna. The views put across are very limited. As are most views through media. So many people have thoughts and feelings that are not expressed or aired by the likes of Rupert Murdoch et al. People are influenced by the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Express, Times etc and it is a heavily biased view. It's not angels on pin heads at all. It's about controlling the information people hear and the views expressed. It is core to our society.

I watched Paris Lees the other night (on Newsnight I think) and whilst I am absolutely not a fan of him he did put a more intersectional point of view and managed to tell an older, white, middle-class man to back off (David Starkey - which made it all the more satisfying) and let him and Kate Williams speak, in a firm but polite manner. The point being is that having a transgender activist on TV or any other activist - someone who is passionate about a world view other than the ones peddled by popular media is generally a good thing.

[StrawberryQuik]

I'm not Scottish but I like Sturgeon, she seems like a strong leader. I also think Andrea Leadsom of the Conservatives came across well though I don't agree with everything she says...I think I'd rather have her than Theresa May (too right wing)

I think one good thing about the referendum is that people who aren't usually into politics have opinions about it...more women then men of my acquaintance, as in more men I know are usually interested in politics.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Fela I'm not trying to lead a country, there's no reason why I should not put my personal ambition first.

So far as lies, did you pay much attention to the Scottish independence referendum? In particular the lies about the "legal opinion" about Scotland's status in the EU? There were others, oil revenue too.

As for passionate about Scotland- I think you are confusing that with passionate about independence at any cost.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

I think one good thing about the referendum is that people who aren't usually into politics have opinions about it

That is precisely what is wrong with referenda. People who know bugger all about politics and take no interest in politics making life changing one off decisions.

People like an MN poster who thinks Norway is in the EU or the fan at Euro16 commenting on violent Russian fans that they don't want to be in a union with Russia.

[StrawberryQuik]

I meant it from a purely feminist perspective, this is the first political issue I've ever heard certain female friends of mine discuss. In general though I hope it will be a wake up call to people who think 'my vote won't matter'

[Felascloak]

I tend to think anyone leading a country puts themselves first. Psychopaths (not saying NS is one, just illustrating) are more prevalent in leadership roles than lower down.
I did follow the Scottish referendum but not in the detail I probably would have if I were Scottish. I was impressed with NS then too. She is clear about what she stands for. More than you can say for BoJo.
Anyway sorry for the derail OP. Maybe I should start a chat thread about NS to get the convo off here

[fromagepantalon]

I saw a woman this morning/on the day/ last night.



Well exactly. Turn on the news and you'll see one now. Turn the channel and the same again. One more time and again.


that's how sexism works.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

I meant it from a purely feminist perspective, this is the first political issue I've ever heard certain female friends of mine discuss

That makes it no better. Womenwho know bugger all about politics and take no interest in politics making life changing one off decisions.

[Heratnumber7]

Fiona Bruce
Katya Adler
Victoria Derbyshire
Joanna Gosling
Kate Silverton
Philipa Thomas
Emily Maitlis
Anita McVeigh
Sian Lloyd
Sally Nugent
Kate Adie

I could go on... there are flipping loads of them. I'd say it was almost 50/50.

[deydododatdodontdeydo]

Herat, and they are all (I think, there's a couple I don't know) highly informed, intelligent and not chosen on looks alone either, so bravo for that.

[OlennasWimple]

They are a great bunch, agreed: but which have been prominent in the last week analyzing the impact of the referendum?

[Heratnumber7]

ALL/MOST OF THEM!!!!

[OlennasWimple]

I've searched really hard, and am yet to find anything by Sian Lloyd (former weather presenter, sometime TV presenter); Kate Adie (former war correspondent, sometime TV presenter); or Fiona Bruce (news anchor, sometime TV presenter) analyzing the impact of Brexit or exploring the options for a way forward, or seeking to understand why the result was what it was

I haven't looked at the others, those were the obvious names that jumped out as a somewhat unlikely inclusion on a list of political analysts

[OlennasWimple]

An interesting guest blog...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/guest_posts/2674607-Guest-post-We-need-to-re-set-the-media-compass-to-give-equal-prominence-to-women

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Laura Kuenssberg is all over BBC. I don't think she ever sleeps.

[shinynewusername]

Lots of posters seem to be confusing journalists with (alleged) experts. There are - finally - a fair number of women covering serious news. But the pundits/experts asked to speak to those journalists about Brexit were almost exclusively male.

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

Laura Kuenssberg has done the most amazing job covering the referendum. While many of the men have appeared tired and weary she is still sharp firing questions and giving great analysis.

She should be given her own tv programme