Michael Buerk slams BBC's 'tripe' shows and TV presenters who 'cry ageism'

Broadcaster Michael Buerk said that it was ‘fair enough’ for TV executives to let go of older employees to make room for fresh talents.

15:09 08 April 2014

Broadcaster Michael Buerk has criticised female news readers and television presenters who complain that they are targets of ageism and said that those who were given jobs “because they look nice” cannot protest when they later lose their jobs when their youthful looks wane. 

 

The former 999 presenter also said that it was “fair enough” for television executives to let go of older employers and described is as: “pruning the raspberries to make way for new growth”.

 

“'Presenter’, in any case, is a very recent job description dreamt up to describe somebody who fronts a programme without any special reason for being on it.

 

“If you got the job in the first place mainly because you look nice, I can’t see why you should keep it when you don’t,” he added.

 

The comment came after several high-profile women, like Miriam O’Reilly and Selina Scott, talked about ageism on television. 

 

Meanwhile, 69-year-old broadcaster Angela Rippon, presented different view on the matter. She said: “I wake up every morning thinking how extraordinary it is – to be 69 and still working on TV. Television has at last realised you need maturity and experience alongside youth and beauty. It’s finally come of age.”

 

Buerk also revealed that he wasn’t saddened by the demise of BBC3 and blasted it for content that played "cutting-edge tripe like Snog, Marry, Avoid".