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I'm a news junkie, so I've observed my share of newscasters.

The more I watch these days, the more I find myself disturbed by the serious disconnect between newsmen and newsbabes. Yes, newsbabes. I'm not being sexist; the fact is about 90 percent of the women in broadcast (no pun intended) news are gorgeous and model-thin, mostly blond, with long hair which delicately brushes their shapely shoulders but doesn't obscure those toned arms. They are meant to be seen and only secondarily to be heard. The men's looks are evenly distributed among good-looking, average, not much to look at and elder statesman. Even facial expressions are different. Men can look somber, while women smile so wide their teeth must blind the cameramen (or women).

What really gets to me is the matter of attire. Tune into your favorite newscast, national or local. Without exception, the men wear suits and ties, looking very professional. Most of the women, on the other hand, look like they've been poured into their skintight, sleeveless sheaths in day-glow colors, short enough to give ample display to their seemingly endless legs. Newscasts where the anchors are not behind a desk look like "Leggs" commercials.

What gets me the most, though, is what peeks out over the plunging necklines. To wit, cleavage. I saw Lara Logan introduce a very serious segment on "60 Minutes." Her neckline would have been perfect for a pick-up bar, but for newswomen, par for the course. I have to wonder if the male newscasters have trouble looking the women in the eye. No doubt many of the men watching are too distracted to have any idea of what the women are saying.

So, let me get this straight newsladies, you want to be taken seriously as hard-hitting reporters so you show your, er, attributes? I'll bet most of you call yourselves feminists. Forget what the boys in the boardroom tell you to wear; you could stand up to this.

Maybe we should just be honest about the distaff side of the news and call the broadcasts (there's that word again) what they are: beauty pageants. TV stations and networks should hold contests, then have the women wear sashes indicating their titles. There could be "Miss Local News," "Miss Weather," "Miss Foreign Affairs," "Miss Investigative Reporting," "Miss Fluff Pieces" and, sometimes, "Miss Sports." Parade them during the opening credits, the blonde leading the blonde. Message: our station will keep you abreast of current events.

Another option would be to dress the men equally sexy. The possibilities are endless: Chippendale outfits, open shirts a la the disco age, form-fitting workout clothes, bathing suits. On the other hand, considering that they're not all young, buff and attractive, forget about it.

In keeping with the goal of honesty, how about more realistic names for the shows: "Eyewitness Cleavage" (pun intended), "Headlines and Headlights," "News That's Uplifting."

All the news shows brag about being up-to-the-minute, hard-hitting and relevant to your everyday life. When it comes to the women, the only thing that's up-to-the-minute is the fashion. Why bother going to journalism school, ladies? Just read Vogue.

- Ann Green

Ann Green is a freelance writer, editor, PR consultant and tutor.