BBC eyeing new older broadcasters

December 20, 2009 - 0 comments

London -- The British Broadcasting Corp., facing ageism allegations, is about to hire two new BBC News broadcasters in their 50s, insiders said.

Unidentified insiders said the BBC intends to add Zeinab Badawi, 50, and Fiona Armstrong, 53, to its news staff, The Independent reported Saturday.
Badawi currently appears on BBC World, while Armstrong has previously served as news anchor for ITV Border.

The magazine Broadcast reported the expected BBC News additions will be paired with the hiring of two additional senior broadcasters. The identities of those broadcasters, one in their 50s and another in their 60s, were not released.

The insiders told The Independent the new hires could be officially announced by the BBC before Christmas if financing works out.

The expected hires by the BBC come after the company faced allegations of ageism from individuals such as former broadcaster Anna Ford.

The allegations prompted discussions between BBC officials and Joan Bakewell, adviser on ageism for the government.