BBC wants gender balance of contributors by April 2019

The gender balance of contributors will be monitored on a monthly basis

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The BBC has said it is working to ensure there it has an equal number of male and female experts across its programmes by April 2019.

The broadcaster said it is seeking to guarantee there is a 50:50 split in the expert contributors featured on its news, current affairs and topical programmes.

The corporation stressed it will continue to interview the relevant minister, official, or organisational representative appropriate to a story because they are the individuals in charge or are accountable, adding this concept is focused on the experts used to comment or report on events.

The gender balance of those contributors will be monitored on a monthly basis.

It has already disclosed the BBC has a median gender pay gap of 9.3 per cent and pledged to increase the number of women on screen, on air and in lead roles to 50 per cent in 2020.

The challenge to achieve a 50:50 gender balance has already been adopted by a number of BBC programmes.

News show Outside Source, which is simulcast on the BBC news channel and BBC world news, has already achieved a 50:50 gender split after it adopted the system of self monitoring in January 2017.

By April the programme was featuring an even number of men and women.

The challenge has already expanded to more than 80 programmes including The One Show and BBC News at Six and Ten.

Press Association