Joyce Fegan: Behind the airwaves – Why are women’s voices under-represented on radio?

While much has been done for the gender balance of influential shows at national level, in local radio, which has a bigger reach, 89% of presenters are male

In Ireland, radio holds tremendous influence and power — 3.19m people over the age of 15 tune in for almost four hours every weekday, according to the latest JNLR/Ipsos MRBI report. Stock picture

Local radio is king, the mid-morning talk show in particular, where 89% of presenters are male, but the listenership is made up of more females than males.

In Ireland, radio holds tremendous influence and power — 3.19m people over the age of 15 tune in for almost four hours every weekday, according to the latest JNLR/Ipsos MRBI report.