In the run-up to the general election, Sophy Ridge talks about female political journalists gaining recognition
WORDS: JEN PHARO
When she began her career as a political broadcast journalist in a male-dominated landscape, Sophy Ridge was mistaken first for a make-up artist, and then for a weather girl.
Fast-forward to now and she’s a key member of Sky News’ political presenting team, alongside fellow female power players Kay Burley and Beth Rigby.
The change is happening across the board. The BBC has Laura Kuenssberg, who will be fronting its election coverage with Clive Myrie, and Emily Maitlis will be making her TV news return with a special election night appearance for Channel 4 alongside Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
“I’ve been in political journalism for about 10 years and I’ve definitely seen a real change,” says Sophy, 39. “When I first started I remember being mistaken for a make-up artist, and going to the conference and someone, who is a very senior politician now, thinking that I was a weather presenter. It just shows that people were not used to seeing women in political journalism then, but that just would not happen now.”
Sophy credits her colleagues and peers for making the change happen and is grateful to Sky colleague Adam Boulton for generously mentoring her.
“There have been a lot of really inspiring women,” says Sophy. “At Sky I can think of people like Kay Burley or Beth Rigby, but also elsewhere, we have Laura Kuenssberg, Emily Maitlis and Emma Barnett. It has really changed – so you don’t feel like the only panda at the zoo any more.”
Kay and Beth will be hosting Sky News’ Election Night Live and their team will hand over to Sophy Ridge, Sam Coates and Adam Boulton at 7am on Friday 5 July, live from Westminster.
Sophy says that viewers can expect to see in-depth analysis of every meaningful moment of the election.
“Viewers can expect a very serious analysis of the results coming in, and we’ll be delving deep into the data. Then the next day we’ll have the history of the event, the gravitas of going to see the King and the forming of the next government and maybe even a few Cabinet appointments.
“We’ll have the speeches, the removal vans potentially and all of these big moments we’re so used to associating with elections. Also we’re going to try and have some fun with it as well, so that it’s enjoyable to watch.”
