It has long been the case that many of the female “experts” wheeled onto BBC programmes are woefully inexpert. All too often, we see studio discussions of women interviewing 20-something or 30-something women, asking how they feel about things. These women’s level of “expertise” is often embarrassing. Things are going to get worse, as they invariably do at the BBC. Our thanks to Sean for this. Extracts:

The BBC is to insist half of the expert voices heard on news and current affairs programmes are women by next year, it has been announced.

The broadcaster has set a 50:50 gender quota after it came under pressure over its treatment of female staff.

By April 2019, the corporation aims to have an equal number of male and female expert contributors to topical shows, as it increases the number of women on air.

Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the director-general, said the target would “help transform the range of expert voices across the BBC”.

Director of news Fran Unsworth said change must move “further and faster”, pledging the organisation will produce a report to be accountable on its progress…

More than 100 people have so far taken part in an “expert women” scheme, for free media training sessions to boost confidence and performance.

The quota relates only to contributing “experts”, brought in to give insight and opinion on topical stories…

It also rules out programmes “which already have a focus on gender”, such as Woman’s Hour, which “would not be expected to achieve a 50:50 balance because of the very nature of the programme’s editorial remit”. [J4MB: Conveniently ignoring that “programmes which already have a focus on gender” invariably focus on women, and have feminist narratives.]