EU Recommendation CM/Rec (2013) 1 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on gender equality and media advises that: ‘Member States should particularly ensure, through appropriate means, that media regulators respect gender equality principles in their decision making and practice.’ This recommendation comes in direct response to the continuing under-representation of women on the air.
Funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the project Hearing Women’s Voices? Exploring Women’s Under-Representation in Current Affairs Radio Programming at Peak Listening Times in Ireland was undertaken by Dr. Kathy Walsh (National Women's Council), Dr. Jane Suiter (DCU FuJo) and Orla O’Connor (National Women's Council).
The research was compiled by monitoring women’s voices on news and current affairs programmes at peak times on RTÉ Radio 1, Newstalk and Today FM; by observing production practices, and by conducting interviews with key stakeholders at programme and station levels.
The final report was launched in November 2015 by Alex White, Minister for Communications.
Download the report: Hearing_Womens_Voices_2015_final
