Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I’ve just been watching Gok Whan’s new show on channel 4- ‘Miss Naked Beauty’. Its an attempt to encourage feminism by stealth according to the makers, in an age when most young women consider feminism to be a dirty word.

The aim of the show is to strip women bare (quite literally it seems) and make them believe in themselves for who they are, not for how they look. Now this is where the idea for the programme falls apart- the fact that they are making such a point of the womens appearances is a reflection of the superficial portrayal of women that we see in the press everyday. How is this show going to make women feel more confident in their everyday lives? I am not convinced it even goes part of the way to address these issues.

From what I’ve seen of the first show, it also seems very patronizing (and most of us women experience this from our colleagues every day!) You have the sob stories a la the X factor- the woman who used to be ten sizes bigger than she is now, the single mother, the larger woman..its all so predictable and boring. It does not enthuse me to want to watch at all, and just reminds me of how the media in the Uk are desperately emulating the dross that’s on US television shows.

I don’t know what the eternal answer is to encourage a surge in feminist thinking in Wales or in Britain at large, but I know that programmes like this are not the answer. I want to watch programmes where I am inspired by women in what they do in their everyday lives- in their campaigning,their experiences, in their work- not about what they look like, or how the women involved can’t possibly imagine leaving the house without make-up- perish the thought!

Perhaps we should all read a bit more of Germaine Greer’s work, and we’d all be raving feminists without the need to even switch the telly on.. Now that’s a scary thought…

Well I am at the infamous blogging event at the Assembly tonight. Its quite a good turn out, and I am attempting to live blog some of the highlights in between doing some youtube clips and taking pictures.
Peter Black has said I should live blog the gaffes only, and with Burnham on the panel that shouldn’t be a problem!

Peter Black is the first speaker, noting that he likes to blog to engage in debate with other bloggers and so that the press do not take his press releases out of context. He doesn’t understand why politicians do not blog ( perhaps the personal criticisms have something to do with it Peter…)

Some heavy stuff now, it is a growing part of our democracy says Peter. Adam Price is an example of this in promoting the One Wales agreement before it was formed. ( Good to see Peter giving due regard to Plaid for a change!) Peter has ‘dabbled ‘ with youtube videos… I hope that’s all he’s dabbled with!

Eleanor is now taking the floor- saying she agreed to take part under influence and drink! Blogs are used by ‘headbangers’ as stated by John Marek… ‘ There is no substitute for personal contact’ ( wwww errr Eleanor!) She is not a geek, she has a life says Eleanor-which begs the question as to how she has time to be here now!!

Blogging creates lazy journalism says Eleanor, and questions whether it encourages democratic input. It is a ‘vicory of quantity over quality, and takes over from getting on with the doing’ Eleanor says now…bloggers can edit comments, what’s democratic and open about that? She wants us to get out and about, press the flesh….hmmm, thanks Eleanor.

Betsan next. Vaughan Roderick is blogging and hasn’t time to be here. She is firmly in the ‘to blog’ camp. Her blog has never cost the government billions of pounds for one. It is a ‘bbc guidline encrusted blog’ according to Betsan, but the BBC are very nervous about them.

Its about breaking a story before the next bulletin, a graffiti scroll along the side of a government press release. It is a way to illicit a response, and valuable for the comments.its enriching, and has closed the gap between the print and broadcasting media in Wales, says Betsan.

Who is Miss Wagstaff, is she here? Will she appear in photos of this event tomorrow? Betsan reads them with a glass of wine in her hand ( gosh, that’s commitment) ‘ assembly bubble wrapped saddos’ may be the only ones to watch the video from this, but Betsan relishes this opportunity.

Annabelle Harle from the Electoral Reform Society has now taken to the floor. I think they are sitting on the fence. ( I’m trying to keep up but my blackberry typing is not great so stay with me..)

Blogging is a turn off if it is done behind closed curtains. There are too many sordid and unreputable comments left on blogs, says Annabelle.She is now referring to Innocent smoothies- you go to their website, you can buy a tree on the website and you feel good. Its knowing how to offer people something positive to walk away with. If it can restore democracy then it is worth the try.

Matt Wardman is here talking now. He is speaking about the fact that blogging is a new project, and would like to protest against the way bloggers are bandied together as one.He is against anon blog comments, but notes that editorials in newspapers are anonomous too.

Matt Wardman is now giving concrete examples of what blogging is acheiving- the EU project called myproject.eu cost a large amount of money- bloggers waded in and said it would be a waste of time to do so. They made a difference in stopping this wasteful EU scheme says Matt. He would ask ‘how to blog and what to do with it’ and not whether one should blog or not. He Is praising slugger o toole and the contribution that this has made to political debate in Northern Ireland.

Victoria Winkler- bevan foundation is now speaking. She is in both camps. She set up a blog to encourage debate as the Foundation is finding it hard to get stories in the print media. Victoria wants her blog to be more chatty, but they don’t do personal attacks and they are not party political.

She didn’t blog for a few weeks over the summer and when she came back she wondered whether she should continue. Is it just the political anoraks? Victoria was also disapointed about the level of debate and comments. If she criticised the WAG’s economic policy, then this would be seen as a direct attack on Ieuan Wyn Jones. She does not like anon comments, but is she singing from the hilltops or shouting in the wind? is her finishing comment….

Now we have comments or statements from the floor… I am not going to live blog this sorry. I am sure Peter Black will have plenty to say tomorrow on the blogs, as too will Betsan and Matt Wardman. Where is Miss Wagstaff with the starting question by the way???