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Nine, Wilkinson drama reaches New York Times.

Despite protests it isn't about gender, the headlines keep coming.

The pay battle surrounding former Today host Lisa Wilkinson has gone global, with coverage by the New York Times.

Headlined “Australian TV Host’s Departure Raises Questions on Gender Pay Gap” the article notes:

News of her abrupt departure set off speculation that Ms. Wilkinson, 57, had quit over an equal pay dispute. She had for 10 years been a co-host alongside Karl Stefanovic and at times had fended off questions about a pay gap between the two.

It continues:

Her departure comes as other news outlets have been facing questions about gender pay disparities. In July, the BBC released pay data showing that women represented only one-third of the on-air talent who were paid at least 150,000 pounds, or about $200,000, by the broadcaster in the past year.

It went on to quote talent, politicians and media who had weighed into the debate.

Fairfax has also reported the saga has even attracted some chatter at the MIPCOM trade event in Cannes, alongside Harvey Weinstein and CBS / TEN topics.

Meanwhile Shameless star William H Macy, husband of Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman, told News Corp equal pay was a no-brainer.

“When you go to a producer to get a raise, it’s his or her job to get you to sign for as little money as possible. That’s what they are there to do. The whole notion, especially in showbiz, is about figuring out what you are worth,” he said.

This week Nine went on the record to defend negotiations were ended over Wilkinson’s salary demands and digital rights, and were not related to gender.

8 Responses

  1. It seems from all the chatter on social media & letters to the editor that Lisa’s popularity has taken a dive. While I don’t share those thoughts it seems that many have labelled her as greedy.
    I hope that this won’t affect her in the long term as I feel she is a terrific talent.
    Today is missing the ying & yang that she & Karl bought to Today.

  2. I am curious ……. why her name is followed by her age? but his isn’t! …… not to mention would americans even know who these people are……. I don’t know half the people on Australian commercial tv.

    1. I’s ironic isn’t it? On the surface, the NYT article paints itself as modern and female-positive but then falls into the same sexist trope of mentioning the lady’s age but not the man’s.

      This is exactly one of the things that Wilkinson has complained about, which David quoted in one of the recent previous articles on her.

      1. It’s the NYT’s home style, the name followed by their age. Newspapers here used to do that as well until around 15 years ago when there were protests that it was ageist and the practice was dropped.

  3. I think I just about believe ch9 on this one, however well done to LW to go elsewhere for more $$$. Equal work for equal pay should be set in stone. I also believe in getting max $$ for minimum effort from any large company..

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