Jan Leeming Cites RP Accent as Barrier to Employment in Modern Broadcasting
Former BBC newsreader Jan Leeming discusses the challenges of securing work with a traditional Received Pronunciation accent, highlighting a broader shift in media language preferences.
- Jan Leeming attributes her lack of work opportunities to her Received Pronunciation (RP) accent, which she believes does not align with current broadcasting standards.
- Leeming's experience reflects a wider trend where diverse accents are increasingly preferred over the traditional RP accent in the media.
- The shift away from RP in broadcasting is part of a broader movement to make media voices more representative of the general population.
- Critics argue that the decline of RP and the rise of diverse accents in media could lead to a loss of clarity in broadcasting.
- Despite changes in accent preferences, some international audiences and situations still favor the clarity and reliability of RP.
The Telegraph 
Evening Standard 