Gender Inequality in Journalism

In the research undergone by Women in Journalism (WiJ), after evaluating nine national newspapers in a month, they found that the front pages of British newspapers are 78% dominated by stories covered by male journalists with 84% exposure of quotations by men (Hill, 2012). The result arouses the questions of gender stereotypes and discrimination emerging in the industry of journalism, which plays a role in building democracy among the societies.

Apart from this, women are often portrayed in a sexist way with tempting photographs appeared on the front pages. In this particular month, the result showed that the only women published on the front pages were the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton and her sister Pippa Middleton, and crime victim Madeleine McCann (Hill, 2012). Larsen (2011) criticizes that sexism will cause negative social impacts and cultural values to the public.

Furthermore, International Federation of Journalists (2009, p.14) discovered that according to the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), women were mostly mentioned in soft news in terms of arts and entertainment but least mentioned in politics, economy and government.  This has showed a gender inequality in journalism, which hindered journalistic excellence in news reporting.

Stoel (2012) considers the gender imbalance in journalism as “lack of respect” and this has violated the objective of journalism to produce wise reporting, instead, emphasizes on the sales of newspapers. On the other hand, White supports that ethical reporting is essential and should not echo with the concept of stereotyping in journalism while pointing out that fair gender portrayal as a part of ethical reporting (Mohr, 2009).  

To keep the above perspectives in mind, I personally agree with the notion of gender equality in journalism as it promotes respect to both gender within the newsroom and devotes the role of journalism in leading the public to be more aware of women issues and asserting women rights in journalism.  

(302 words)

References

Hill, A 2012, ‘Sexist Stereotypes Dominates Front Pages of British Newspapers, Research Finds’, The Guardian, 14 October 2012, last viewed 8 November 2012, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/oct/14/sexist-stereotypes-front-pages-newspapers>

International Federation of Journalists 2009, ‘Part II: Stereotypes in the Media’, Getting the Balance Right, International Press Centre, Belgium.

Larsen, R 2011, ‘Sexism and Gender Inequality across 57 Societies’, Journalists Resources, last viewed 8 November 2012, < http://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/gender-race/sexism-gender-inequality-across-57-societies>

Mohr, L 2009, ‘Ending Gender Discrimination is Key to Ethical Reporting, Declares Journalists Meeting in Brussels’, World Association of Christian Communications, last viewed 8 November 2012, < http://www.waccglobal.org/component/content/article/1813:ending-gender-discrimination-is-key-to-ethical-reporting-declares-journalists-meeting-in-brussels.html>

Stoel, C 2012, ‘PRs- Be Aware of Gender Inequality in UK Media’, Firefly Communications, last viewed 8 November 2012, < http://www.fireflycomms.com/pr-blog/prs-be-aware-of-gender-inequality-in-uk-media-2>