Gender inequality is an age-old issue. Many industries have seen real progression; however, newsrooms seem to be lagging woefully behind, with women struggling in many areas. They experience poor job satisfaction levels and face challenges when it comes to climbing the career ladder.
The barriers women face in the media industry were recently explored in a study by researchers at City, St George’s University of London. Although the study honed in on newsrooms in areas where gender inequality in the workplace is generally prevalent, it really illuminated the extent of the issue at hand.
Women are experiencing workplace harassment and are even being locked out of the media industry. Newsrooms are losing top female talent as job satisfaction rates plummet, and the media workplace sadly doesn’t seem as progressive as it should be.
What the research revealed
Men and those who are non-gender conforming said they believed they had an easier time both starting and progressing in the media industry.
Physical and verbal harassment were most commonly experienced by women in newsrooms across the Arab region, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, which the study focussed on.
Women were more likely to experience physical and verbal harassment in their workplace, whether in the office or out in the field.
As a result of physical and verbal harassment, women had a reduced level of job satisfaction.
Men and non-gender conforming people felt happier with their jobs and thought newsrooms were fairer than women did.
What can be done about the problem?
New and upcoming journalists have a role to play in igniting the change that the media and journalism industry so desperately needs. Those studying a journalism course, such as the NCTJ diploma, may find it easier to kick start their media career when studying with a journalism school such as https://newsassociates.co.uk/what-is-the-nctj.
News organisations need to address this issue to keep their talent and make the workplace a fairer place for women; what’s more, fresh and progressive talent in the industry may be the key to turning gender inequality around.