BUSINESS NEWS
Women in media 'still suffer'
Posted Thu, 10 Aug 2006
Women in the media are still on the receiving end of discrimination, a South African National Editors' Forum study has found.
Sanef chairperson Ferial Haffajee on Tuesday described the results as "shocking"
" ...Discriminatory practices, structural inequalities, cultural factors, prejudices, patriarchy and sexism are still alive and well in newsrooms," the study noted.
"These are clearly prohibiting South Africa's women journalists from realising their potential."
The "snapshot survey" was compiled from responses to a questionnaire answered by 40 of Sanef's 149 members between March and May.
It was undertaken to establish the realities and challenges faced by South Africa's women journalists — especially senior women journalists — and to identify strategies for change.
Haffajee said an industry-wide audit would be conducted to establish exactly where women were. It would probably begin in October.
The study determined
that women did not hold senior positions largely because of the intrinsic "maleness" of the newsroom and journalism practice, as a result of a male hegemonic society.
Even though the country's constitution entrenched equal rights, these existed "only on paper.
"Racism is hounded by the media themselves, yet they not only allow sexism in their ranks, but even perpetuate it through certain actions (and non-actions)," the report pointed out.
"In general, it seems there is improvement regarding acceptance of woman managers, although many prejudices still prevail.
"One might concur that there is a will on the part of (still overwhelmingly) male management, but that no way has been found (yet)."
The study concluded that women journalists seemed to be more gender sensitive in dealing with day to day news events.
"Therefore, one can conclude that a critical mass of women in these positions will lead to a change in how women — and thus
society — are represented in the media.
"However, it has also been established in various studies that women often perpetuate the existing male constructs of the newsroom environment."
It seemed men still needed to work on their gender awareness and sensitivity. It also seemed as if men's relation to women staffers and their advancement was not an important issue among senior male news journalists.
"This impacts on how women journalists are treated and how news content is assessed and represented."
The study noted that women journalists had left senior positions for reasons ranging from retrenchment to harassment, to pressure, a sense of isolation, no support base, undermining, not being taken seriously and no space for flexibility.
A change in newsroom environment, applied affirmative action policies, gender awareness, a supportive environment and flexible hours would be needed to get them back.
Strategies recommended by the
study to advance women in newsrooms included: general conscientising; building allies; business plans supporting gender policies; a willingness by companies to foster change; training and development programmes; the outlining of career paths; better equity strategies; facilities; flexi-hours; employment conditions; and institutional reform.
Sapa
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