Sir, – Una Mullally makes some very sweeping generalisations and accusations about supposed "intentional, sexist bias" on Irish radio ("Women need to raise the volume on radio exclusion", Opinion & Analysis, September 8th).
In particular, she makes reference to “gender imbalance” on Today FM. As Ireland’s most popular entertainment-based radio station, Today FM has always provided equal opportunities to new and experienced broadcasters, on the basis of merit and ability. Over the course of 17 years, the station has encouraged and developed new broadcasting talent, right across the spectrum of skills required for a national commercial station, regardless of gender.
The most recent programming recruits in Today FM have been primarily female. This is alongside frontline female presenters who have been here for many years and a full female line-up of news anchors. Furthermore, women are the primary producers across all of our main shows on weekdays and at weekends and have a major influence on our output.
Regarding our supposed gender imbalance, Ms Mullaly correctly points out that the majority of our primetime presenters are male. Contrary to her view, this is not “sexist bias” at play. It is a function of broadcasters, regardless of gender, winning and holding the support of audiences every day, through the connection that they have established with listeners. This is what has made Today FM the most popular radio station in the country, particularly amongst women under 45.
Ms Mullally would do well to look at her own newspaper before commenting erroneously on the radio sector. A simple analysis of 65 bylined articles in Monday’s edition of your newspaper shows that just 13 were by women. – Yours, etc,
PETER McPARTLIN,
Chief Executive,
Today FM,
Digges Lane, Dublin 1.