JENNI MURRAY: The disgusting 'packages' men sent me while I was on TV... but what today's presenters face is FAR worse
When I began working in television more than 40 years ago, it never occurred to me that enduring rampant misogyny would be part of the job.
There weren't so many of us then. Angela Rippon was famous for reading the news and Sue Lawley for presenting Nationwide, but I don't recall any stories of stalkers or death threats hitting the newspapers. Of course, there was no social media.
My big shock came in 1982 when I co-presented South Today together with Bruce Parker. We were the BBC's regional news programme covering the south of England and we were on air every night of the week. It was when I was visibly pregnant that the trouble started.
I was inundated with little notes, delivered to me at the newsroom, along the lines of, 'How dare you appear on my television in that disgusting state?' 'Don't you have a husband at home to earn a living and take care of you?' and 'What do you think you're doing, taking a job from a man?'
Breakfast TV presenter Louise Minchin received intimidating messages threatening the rape of her daughter
The worst didn't have any notes inside the envelopes, just little piles of excrement, wrapped up in toilet paper — no need for words. When I opened the first one, I was shocked beyond belief and rushed to the loo to be sick.
Neither the editor nor my colleagues appeared overly concerned. They told me to throw them away and forget about it.
There were three or four of these disgusting missives. I tried not to be upset. After all, I was a tough, ambitious young journalist, but I ranged from being disgusted, sad and furious that I should be suffering such sexism.
The men on the team were never in any danger of such insults, but to be fair to them, they begged me to stop opening my post. They would do it for me. I didn't take up their offer. I might be a woman but didn't need mollycoddling.
Of course, there was never any evidence to indicate who the senders were. I don't think it would have occurred to anyone to involve the police. It was harassment but I don't think anyone knew that word then.
Happily, as far as I know, there were no dangerous stalkers involved. Flowers came occasionally, but again, no means of identifying the sender. I did get used to the idea that my regular appearances in people's front rooms potentially put me at risk. I always imagined things would improve and indeed campaigned vigorously for it to be better for the women who followed in our footsteps. We worked for the law to acknowledge the dangers of threats and stalkers, but the misogyny continues.
I've had more than my share of death threats online and we know hatred of women and resentment at our apparent success is part of what some blokes call 'banter'. There's a sick Andrew Tate style of pub conversation about the desire to subjugate women, even if that involves violence.
It is depressing to read about the catalogue of abuse that today's females face. Fern Britton was stalked for two years by a man who rented a cottage she owned, and sent flowers and cards, telling her to 'keep safe'. She was terrified and unable to sleep. Thank goodness for the stalking law, which banned him from going near her.
It's the same law which saw former Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis's stalker sent down for eight years. Meanwhile, breakfast TV presenter Louise Minchin received intimidating messages threatening the rape of her daughter. The man in question had revealed her home address and even described the cars in her drive. He was sent to prison for two years and eight months. There are so many more who've suffered. Channel 4's Cathy Newman, Denise Welch and Christine Lampard to name but three. They have all had the courage to use the law and bring the perpetrators to justice. It can't be easy to face a man you fear in court. But these dangerous, deluded men are being shown their behaviour is not acceptable.
Former Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis's stalker was jailed for eight years after a a three-decade fixation with the journalist, and breaking a restaining order 20 times
As a younger woman, I foolishly believed the misogyny would subside as men grew used to women in positions of power — or, if not, realised laws would put them at risk of incarceration if they misbehaved. I could not have been more wrong and can only hope the appearance of so many clever and powerful women in this year's election coverage may have an impact for the good.
I've believed since I was a little girl that women must have their place at the table. We are more than half the population. If we are to be recognised as a vital part of our society, we must be heard in forming and analysing policy which affects us all. We must be there taking part.
If I had a daughter, I would explain the horrors women like me have faced. And how we simply said: 'No, we're not having this. We'll change the laws and we'll protect ourselves.'
Running away in fear and humiliation is not an option. You've got to keep on keeping on. Respect to all those brave women who fight for the right to be seen and heard without suffering abuse.
My dogs don't need a groomer
The little chihuahua was only nine and the breed tends to have a good life span.
David Beckham's daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz and her dog, Nala, who died suddenly after she'd been to the grooming parlour
One of mind, Frieda, is 18. I can't think what could have happened at the groomer's. Mine have never been. They wash each other's faces; I give them a good brush from time to time and do their pedicures under protest. They don't go in the shower.
They'd hate it and they certainly won't be going for grooming, which they really don't need. RIP Nala.
It only took St Paul's 900 years!
After running for 900 years, girls are to join St Paul's Cathedral Choir for the first time. Pictured are Lila and Lois, aged 11 and 10
At last, girls are to join St Paul's Cathedral choir for the first time. It's only taken 900 years. Lila and Lois, pictured, will begin on Sunday and will be certain to sing as sweetly as any boy. They're 11 and 10 and will last longer than any of the lads. No danger of their lovely voices breaking. A far more valuable investment.
The former director of the British Museum, Sir Mark Jones, thinks visitors to Britain should be charged £20 to enter our cultural institutions. I agree - it's what we pay if we go to Spain, Italy or Greece. Only we should have free entry to our own wonders.
So much for the Garrick's revolution
The Garrick Club has admitted its first two female members – Dame Judi Dench who's 89 and Dame Sian Phillips who's 91. Is it too cynical of me to wonder if this is just another way of keeping women out of the club – choose two who are too old and too wise to be bothered to attend?
Dame Judi Dench, 89, is one of the first two female members to be admitted to the Garrick Club - which has previously only been open to men
Who'd be Jill Biden just now – no doubt dying of embarrassment as her husband struggles to make any sense, but desperate to remain First Lady. No Jill, ignore Tammy Wynette's advice and Don't Stand By Your Man. Tell him he's no longer fit to be President of such a vital democracy. Take him home for a rest and give the opportunity to someone who can string a few words together.
