Equalities grey area in public sector broadcasting

In response to Waldemar Januszczak (Letters, 13 January), it's worth noting that, as a national public service broadcaster, Channel 4 has always sought to provide something for everyone, some of the time. That said, our particular remit duty to focus on the new and experimental has meant that we have built up a particularly strong relationship with young audiences over the years. This relationship is valuable both because younger viewers have historically been poorly served by public service broadcasting and because it's central to Channel 4's appeal to advertisers. This in turn ensures that we can generate healthy advertising revenues to be reinvested in a wide range of programmes designed to appeal to all audiences – programmes such as Any Human Heart , Channel 4 News , Dispatches , Jamie's 30 Minute Meals , One Born Every Minute , Civilization and The Genius of British Art , to name just a few. Given that Channel 4 does not receive any direct public funding, I would suggest that this represents a great deal for taxpayers. David Abraham Chief executive, Channel 4 • Having co-authored the dossier on sexist ageism at the BBC with Selina Scott, it came as no surprise that Miriam O'Reilly won her ageism claim – and lost her sexism claim ( Report , 12 January). Moreover, there will be no new dawn for older women. First, the award will not deter such conduct as it will be modest both relative to the wealth of the BBC and to the perceived benefits of ageism. Second, the media world (and BBC in particular) retains the historic view that pay and appointment are matters within its artistic/business gift, rather than decisions within the Equality Act. Third, the justice system still fails to understand the symbiotic nature of sexist ageism or dual/multiple discrimination. Judges appear to become confused by the interrelationship between age and gender discrimination. It is superficially confusing. There could be said to be no sexism, as Ms O'Reilly was replaced by a female employee; and no ageism, because John Craven (the oldest employee) was retained. But the reality is that there is a hierarchy of favouritism, with younger men at the top and older women at the bottom. Hence, Ms O'Reilly was axed for her age because she was a woman. So until we have punitive deterrent damages, a 21st-century media mindset and judges who understand prejudice, there will be no change, and it remains as advisable today, as it did several generations ago, for a woman not to discuss her age and for a man never to ask it. Lawrence Davies Director, Equal Justice solicitors • Two cheers for Miriam O'Reilly et al – but when grey-haired female presenters are as unremarkable as male ones, I'll be really impressed. Dr Brigid Purcell Norwich