Should John Inverdale be fired for his comments about Marion Bartoli?

 

Yes: Lizzy Roberts

John Inverdale’s comments that Wimbledon Ladies Singles winner Marion Bartoli was “not a looker” were inappropriate and damaging towards women and he needs to be fired from the BBC. Inverdale represents everything wrong with sport broadcasting in this country, placing value on looks and femininity rather than the genuine ability of prolific sportswomen around the world.

Taking a look at what Inverdale actually said during that fateful piece of commentary, it’s clear that he places more value on “long legs” than he does talent in the tennis court. What he actually said throughout his radio commentary, was that he wondered whether Bartoli’s father had “said to her when she was 12, 13, 14, you are never going to be a looker, never going to be a Sharapova, you’re never going be 5 foot 11 , never going to be someone with long legs so you have to compensate, you are going to have to be the most dogged determined fighter that anyone has ever seen on the tennis court if you’re going to make it.”

It’s absolute rubbish to believe that having stunning facial features gives way to obvious advantages when wielding a racket. If I’m being honest, I’m not so sure many of Team GB’s 2012 Olympic Gold medalists will make it as catwalk models (with the obvious exception of a certain Mr Daley) but it’s entirely irrelevant and completely inappropriate to state this opinion as a broadcaster, particularly when the matters that should be being discussed are about game rather than leg length.

It’s such a contrast to think that just one year ago, the BBC was promoting the best athletes this country has to offer,  and I might note that I don’t recall an incident of a broadcaster saying whether or not they thought Jessica Ennis needed a haircut as she stood on the winner’s podium. All of that seems to be forgotten. It clearly doesn’t matter what Bartoli’s career successes are, how she performs and what she wins if she doesn’t look ‘good’ at the after party.

A major sporting even like Wimbledon gathers millions of viewers and listeners to each programme that is broadcast. To promote the message of looks being an alternative to determination (particularly in a field where body strength rather than appearance is more important) is just ludicrous. The idea that Inverdale conveyed to listeners was that in order to get on in this world, women have to fit society’s stereotype of being ‘pretty’ or ‘sexy’  or else be faced with having to be “dogged” and strong willed as it’ll be an uphill struggle for them, no matter what they do. Sadly, that really still is the case for women; they get an easier ride if they’re good looking, and it’s attitudes like Inverdale’s that reinforce this idea to a large audience.

Rather than letting someone with a wide public following and sphere of influence continue to broadcast when they have made such disparaging remarks only sends out the message that it’s ok and perfectly forgivable to be sexist. This week Channel 4 presenter Cathy Newman stated that simply by publicly humiliating Inverdale through various Tweets and letters from listeners that were offended by his comments could be enough. However, if the BBC wanted to tackle sexism in journalism and in sport, then firing Inverdale is the only real option.

No: Laura Garner

We need to save our dinosaurs. Far too many budding journalists are appearing with a lack of confidence in broadcasting their opinions with total self-assurance, resulting in timid reporters producing unentertaining work. John Inverdale has had a long spanning career in journalism working for the BBC, ITV Sport, Countdown, Radio 2 and many other prestigious media centres. Such an experienced and, needless to say, talented broadcaster should not be penalised due to one slip of the tongue. Doesn’t everybody make mistakes?

In today’s PC crazy society, far too much attention is paid to protecting others’ ‘feelings’. How many figures in the media nowadays actually speak their mind, without being terrified of the backlash from any comment uttered? Surely this approach is more entertaining, rather than being shackled by the constraints of political correctness? Inverdale’s comment on Bartoli’s appearance may appear at first sight slightly irrational to the average person but, in reality, how much damage does being brutally honest actually do?

There is absolutely no way Inverdale should get fired over such tongue in cheek banter. Where has society’s sense of humour disappeared to? After writing directly to Bartoli apologising for any offence caused, not to mention the BBC’s public apology, Inverdale has done enough to make amends and should not be punished further. I’m sure most of you have had a joke backfire… just because Inverdale is in the media spotlight, it doesn’t mean the consequences of such should be any tougher.

Any press is good press and Bartoli is certainly raking in the publicity from this storm and by creating debate over the political correctness of his comments, Inverdale is simply creating a bigger name for himself. We need to stop being such an uptight audience and let the man do his job, a job whereby linguistic slip ups are inevitable.

Sexism happens. As a female myself, you have to learn to take it in your stride. It’s probably never going to completely stop and females will likely always be judged primarily on their appearance. Nobody said it was fair, nobody said this world was fair. Women need to accept it as a fact of life rather than wasting time complaining about it. I mean come on girls, you could be doing your make up in that time!

Inverdale’s comment may appear prudish, sexist and frankly rude, granted. However, he is a fantastic journalist whom has swallowed his pride and apologised. Nobody should be punished to such an extent for a simple blunder and the hullaballoo created is a total overreaction. As one of the few journalists left standing who aren’t terrified of public reaction, one thing remains clear: we need to save our dinosaurs.

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