'Women Today', presented by Marian Finucane and produced by Clare Duignan, was first broadcast on 31 May 1979. In an extract from 'Women Today' Marian Finucane introduces an item on the subject of sex education in Ireland.
- Title Sex Education In Ireland
- 1st Broadcast 12/11/1979
- ContributorMarian Finucane (Presenter)
Doireann Ní Bhriain (Reporter)
- Clip Duration 00:05:20
- Material Type Audio
- Series title Women Today
- Clip title 'Women Today' First Broadcast 31 May 1979
- Extended description
'Women Today', presented by Marian Finucane and produced by Clare Duignan, was first broadcast on 31 May 1979. The show was proposed by Clare Duignan to redress the inadequate representation of women in RTÉ broadcasting
In this extract from 'Women Today' in 1979 Marian Finucane introduces the first of two special editions on sex education. Reporter Doireann Ní Bhriain talks to some young Dublin men about their lack of knowledge about sexual matters.
'Women Today', presented by Marian Finucane and produced by Clare Duignan, was first broadcast on 31 May 1979. The show was proposed by Clare Duignan to redress the inadequate representation of women in RTÉ broadcasting. Dealing with women's issues, the show was immediately popular with listeners, which ensured it stayed in a prime slot.
In the same year, the RTÉ Authority set up a Working Party on Women in Broadcasting "to consider job opportunities for women in RTÉ, the participation and representation of women in programmes, and the portrayal of women in advertisements". The working party submitted its report in April 1981.
In relation to "Participation of Women as Programme-Makers and Presenters", the report commented:
"A lone Martian, orbiting the earth, who happened to tune in to some hours of Irish radio or television, might well conclude that humankind is divided into two sexes in proportions six-to-one."
The working party reported that "Women make up only 9% of radio producers, 16% of television producers/directors, and about 15% of news journalists" and noted that "Inevitably, these internal imbalances are reflected in programme output".
The Authority agreed to set up an action plan and form a liaison group with staff to monitor the Authority's responses to the report's recommendations. It was also agreed to report on progress in further annual reports.
The image accompanying this clips shows broadcaster Marian Finucane, in RTÉ's telephone switchroom in May 1979. This photograph was taken to publicise the RTÉ Radio 1 programme 'Women Today'.
The photographer was Eve Holmes.
© RTÉ Stills Library 2067/043
- Local keywords RTÉ, Broadcasting, Marian Finucane, Claire Duignan, 1970s, Radio, Women, Equality, Doireann Ní Bhriain, Sex, Women, Education
- Geographical coverage Ireland
- Genre Factual
- Topic The Media
- Publisher Broadcaster RTÉ
- First broadcast channel RTÉ Radio One
- Production year 1979
- Country of production Ireland
- Original identifier AA1740
- IPR restrictions Rights Reserved - Free Access
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- Item type part/extract
- Item sound Stereo
- Language used English (eng)
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'Women Today' First Broadcast 31 May 1979
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Clip Length - 00:05:20