HO
Not only would this depend on what type of contract she's on, but also how detailed her contract/job description is and how fixed/flexible her position was and would expect to have been had she not been on maternity leave. If she returned from leave to find Kate was continuing in her role, and she was to be given feature items instead, there may be a case. However the programme, and the roles of her colleagues, have continued to evolve throughout its existence and it wouldn't be hard for the producers to argue that it is common practice in television to change the lineup according to what seems to work best - in other words, unlike in most industries the combination of the team, rather than simply the sum of their individual talents is crucial.
Having said that, it's also possible there would be assurances in her contract regarding what her role means. For example James O'Brien, who also freelances for Newsnight and ITV, said his LBC contract dictates he must only be given certain timeslots to prevent effective constructive dismissal by moving him to a graveyard shift. But even in this scenario I'm not sure it could fall under discrimination against maternity leave (but rather breach of contract) given Sean's role has been much further diminished during that same period.
Has anyone else noticed, by the way, the apparent dearth of men with strong journalistic credentials and presentation skills in TV news? There are plenty of male reporters at the BBC, ITN and Sky, yet it seems to me the broadcasters are finding it harder to recruit 'new' male talent than female - hence GMB have plenty of natural female presenters, but struggles to find men who can fill-in/ one day replace Ben Sheppard. This seems like a completely different situation to the US, where there are just as many telegenic male reporters who make natural presenters as female ones at each broadcaster. Why aren't the lists of men who would make worthy contenders on British programmes nowhere near as long as the lists of women?
The bigger change though is her role as Susanna's understudy - she was clearly first choice replacement before she went on maternity, ut now it seems Won't Goaway has taken that position.
Not only would this depend on what type of contract she's on, but also how detailed her contract/job description is and how fixed/flexible her position was and would expect to have been had she not been on maternity leave. If she returned from leave to find Kate was continuing in her role, and she was to be given feature items instead, there may be a case. However the programme, and the roles of her colleagues, have continued to evolve throughout its existence and it wouldn't be hard for the producers to argue that it is common practice in television to change the lineup according to what seems to work best - in other words, unlike in most industries the combination of the team, rather than simply the sum of their individual talents is crucial.
Having said that, it's also possible there would be assurances in her contract regarding what her role means. For example James O'Brien, who also freelances for Newsnight and ITV, said his LBC contract dictates he must only be given certain timeslots to prevent effective constructive dismissal by moving him to a graveyard shift. But even in this scenario I'm not sure it could fall under discrimination against maternity leave (but rather breach of contract) given Sean's role has been much further diminished during that same period.
Has anyone else noticed, by the way, the apparent dearth of men with strong journalistic credentials and presentation skills in TV news? There are plenty of male reporters at the BBC, ITN and Sky, yet it seems to me the broadcasters are finding it harder to recruit 'new' male talent than female - hence GMB have plenty of natural female presenters, but struggles to find men who can fill-in/ one day replace Ben Sheppard. This seems like a completely different situation to the US, where there are just as many telegenic male reporters who make natural presenters as female ones at each broadcaster. Why aren't the lists of men who would make worthy contenders on British programmes nowhere near as long as the lists of women?
SP
With due respect to Ben Shepherd I'm not sure that "strong journalistic credentials" is a term I'd associate with him.
PF
Is he even a journalist, or can that title be just given out to anyone who works on a news related programme? There is nothing in his past that associates him with actually studying journalism or having qualification in it, about 95% of his past is presenting or taking part in entertainment or sporting programmes. All of a sudden he is a "journalist" because he reads the auto-cue on a morning news programme?
Last edited by PFML84 on 1 September 2015 10:27am
HO
That was really my point. There are a number of women just within Good Morning Britain who would make suitable co-presenters, yet male counterparts seem harder to find. GMTV and Daybreak both had the same issue, pretty much since Eammon Holmes (arguably the last truly suitable example) left. Sheppard, a former tennis player, a sports presenter, and a singer have all been used despite a lack of journalistic skill. Adrian Chiles is the only individual that comes to mind who was at least a journalist, yet even he was clearly ill suited to that form of programming.
Does anyone know, per the broadcasting sector as a whole, what the balance is like between male and female reporters? Could it be that a growing number of female presenters are given studio time earlier in their careers, at the expense of reporting experience? I'm thinking the Katie Derhams, Sophie Raworths, Susanna Reids, who have little reporting experience compared to George Alagiah, Huw Edwards or Mark Austin?
With due respect to Ben Shepherd I'm not sure that "strong journalistic credentials" is a term I'd associate with him.
That was really my point. There are a number of women just within Good Morning Britain who would make suitable co-presenters, yet male counterparts seem harder to find. GMTV and Daybreak both had the same issue, pretty much since Eammon Holmes (arguably the last truly suitable example) left. Sheppard, a former tennis player, a sports presenter, and a singer have all been used despite a lack of journalistic skill. Adrian Chiles is the only individual that comes to mind who was at least a journalist, yet even he was clearly ill suited to that form of programming.
Does anyone know, per the broadcasting sector as a whole, what the balance is like between male and female reporters? Could it be that a growing number of female presenters are given studio time earlier in their careers, at the expense of reporting experience? I'm thinking the Katie Derhams, Sophie Raworths, Susanna Reids, who have little reporting experience compared to George Alagiah, Huw Edwards or Mark Austin?
NG
That was really my point. There are a number of women just within Good Morning Britain who would make suitable co-presenters, yet male counterparts seem harder to find. GMTV and Daybreak both had the same issue, pretty much since Eammon Holmes (arguably the last truly suitable example) left. Sheppard, a former tennis player, a sports presenter, and a singer have all been used despite a lack of journalistic skill. Adrian Chiles is the only individual that comes to mind who was at least a journalist, yet even he was clearly ill suited to that form of programming.
John Stapleton is probably the only other bloke they've had with a real journalistic background, apart from Piers Morgan.
The BBC fair a lot better with Bill Turnbull (who was a correspondent for many years before switching to presenting) and Charlie Stayt (who was a reporter before presenter) and it probably shows. They are just more credible as journalist-presenters. I just don't take Ben Shephard seriously in the role, though he's a very polished presenter and very likeable in other roles.
noggin
Founding member
With due respect to Ben Shepherd I'm not sure that "strong journalistic credentials" is a term I'd associate with him.
That was really my point. There are a number of women just within Good Morning Britain who would make suitable co-presenters, yet male counterparts seem harder to find. GMTV and Daybreak both had the same issue, pretty much since Eammon Holmes (arguably the last truly suitable example) left. Sheppard, a former tennis player, a sports presenter, and a singer have all been used despite a lack of journalistic skill. Adrian Chiles is the only individual that comes to mind who was at least a journalist, yet even he was clearly ill suited to that form of programming.
John Stapleton is probably the only other bloke they've had with a real journalistic background, apart from Piers Morgan.
The BBC fair a lot better with Bill Turnbull (who was a correspondent for many years before switching to presenting) and Charlie Stayt (who was a reporter before presenter) and it probably shows. They are just more credible as journalist-presenters. I just don't take Ben Shephard seriously in the role, though he's a very polished presenter and very likeable in other roles.
SP
Interesting contrast with the outcry on this forum when Moira Stuart was taken off TV newsreading because she isn't a trained journalist.
SE
Square Eyes
Founding member
Matt Barbett was very much in the credible journalist / presenter mould but didn't last.
I expect there is audience research to say the hassled mums want some eye candy.
I expect there is audience research to say the hassled mums want some eye candy.
DV
as an aside Stapleton is doing the News Channel's papers tonight,
On The Papers tonight @JohnStapletonTV and @sarahoconnor_ of @FT .Join us from 22.30 on the BBC News Channel
— Clive Myrie (@CliveMyrieBBC) September 1, 2015
SN
The difference being that she was very much restricted to reading the news in her role on BBC Breakfast - she wasn't writing her own scripts, leading interviews or ad-libbing.
Interesting contrast with the outcry on this forum when Moira Stuart was taken off TV newsreading because she isn't a trained journalist.
The difference being that she was very much restricted to reading the news in her role on BBC Breakfast - she wasn't writing her own scripts, leading interviews or ad-libbing.
TW
Natasha Kaplinsky too is not a trained journalist.
Interesting contrast with the outcry on this forum when Moira Stuart was taken off TV newsreading because she isn't a trained journalist.