Commission on Older Women

http://www.policyforum.labour.org.uk/uploads/editor/files/Commission_on_Older_Women_-_Interim_Report.pdf

Written in 2013 by Fiona MacTaggart, MP (no relation!).

Older women are typically depicted in stereotyped ways in public life.  They are valued on looks rather than as subject experts.  Decorative rather than illustrative.  Men over 50 are deemed 'rugged' or 'distinguished' whereas women over 50 are usually the butt of humour as the comic battle-axe, or a victim.  When used in advertising, women over 50 typically promote age-oriented products like stairlifts, baths and wills.

Over 50s in the UK  - 53% women
Over 50s UK tv presenters - 18% woman
TV presenters as a whole reflect the population - 30% tv presenters >50, 34% population >50
7% of total TV workforce are women >50
Therefore women >50 are not well represented in television

News and current affairs programmes - men outnumber women 4:1.  >50 women disappear, especially in primetime.  If >50 women are represented, it will be on daytime tv.

There is a difference in representation between tv and radio.  The woman least likely to appear as an expert on UK tv is a woman with a regional accent aged over 50. Radio appears to use more older woman with an accent, probably due to preferences on tv for a young appearance.