Britain is no country for old folk - The Guardian

I was recently at a formal dinner, trying to read the menu. "I can't do this without glasses these days," I said, ruefully, to the stranger beside me. He turned out to be an eye specialist. "Ah," he said, "that's presbyopia! More than 70% of people in their mid-40s develop it, and start having to use glasses!"

I was intrigued, having been brought up in a Presbyterian manse. And my father, literate in classical languages, instantly located the Greek source: "presbys" means "old man" or "elder". This is not a term of disapprobation, but rather one that carries due recognition of acquired wisdom and experience. This can, then, qualify those fortunate enough to have survived the tumultuous decades of early life to shoulder enhanced responsibilities – assuming responsibility for governing a Protestant church in Scotland, for instance.

But Britain does not follow the ancient Greek model. "Old man" is not a term of respect on our shores, far less "old woman", as television broadcasters vie to attract what is seen as the demographically ideal audience of 16- to 24-year-olds. Wisdom and experience are apparently not qualities that rate highly with those attempting to win these elusive viewers.

So I followed erstwhile Countryfile presenter Miriam O'Reilly's attempt to expose the prejudice against the 50-plus generations with somewhat pessimistic interest. Selina Scott and Moira Stuart had both made headlines and achieved a degree of personal success once their disquiet at the disadvantage that reaching 50 had brought with it was aired. No less an icon than writer and broadcaster Joan Bakewell, during her unpaid term of office under the last government as the voice of older people, pointed out that the British people at large were the losers because "a whole segment of the British population does not see its equivalent in serious broadcasting".

But to believe that the law would support Miriam O'Reilly's claim of discrimination in being relieved of her presenting job on Countryfile when it was moved to a better time-slot in 2008 was, I thought, bold and ambitious. It turns out that I was unduly gloomy. Suddenly, older broadcasters have a champion. O'Reilly's risk has paid off. Not only will she benefit financially from the employment tribunal's judgment in terms of compensation, but she has prompted senior executives to race to news-cameras and microphones to admit that the BBC had got it wrong, and broadcasters will now be more careful. The whole broadcasting industry, it is agreed, will be affected and influenced by the historic judgment.

"I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd just walked away," said O'Reilly, on hearing that her claim that bosses had subjected her to "direct age discrimination and age victimisation" had been vindicated in court after a 12-day hearing. But will our screens now blossom with older presenters? I wonder.

As a freelance broadcaster, I have been accustomed over the decades to enjoying time-limited periods of work, and acted accordingly – always keeping as many plates spinning as possible, in the knowledge that none will go on for ever. I foresee the growth of fixed-term contracts, particularly given the current volatility of the ever-expanding broadcasting world. The idea that employees will now feel better protected may be sound, but the era of the employee may itself be time-limited.

And bear in mind that the BBC was cleared of sex discrimination. Women broadcasters may interpret that with a greater or lesser degree of resignation.

More widely, do O'Reilly's days in court represent the kind of cultural change in this country that, say, another pioneering icon, Barbara Castle, achieved almost 50 years ago when, as transport minister, she introduced the seat-belt and the breathalyser? I suspect not. Joan Bakewell, now a life peer, stepped down as the voice of older people before last year's general election, partly because she was well nigh overwhelmed by the public response to her role, and partly to lobby for the establishment of an older people's commissioner for England, which would bring the nation into line with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This has not yet happened.

As one of those fiftysomethings who are working hard to change the world – broadcasting and beyond – for the better, for the enjoyment and participation of all, I carry my presbyopia with pride. In the trade of broadcast journalism, in which I have worked all my life, I'm a good pragmatist and count myself lucky to maintain a good face for radio.