ISLAMABAD, July 10: The battle still remains somewhat frustrating. Despite, the female crusade for prominence in the murky world of journalism, a report highlights challenges and insecurities that limit expression of ideas and influence over the content of news.
‘Who’s telling our story: a situation analysis of women in media’, prepared by an advocacy organisation, Uks, was launched here on Wednesday.
The research deductions were a result of monitoring media networks and through consultative sessions with journalists, editors and students of mass communications.
“It can be the choice of words and language, pictures and image that can demonstrate insensitivity,” said the Uks director.
The report attempts to explain and understand both female presence in media houses and their portrayal in news reports and articles.
Women operate on the fringes of the media industry, the report argued, and a sensitive code of ethics was required by several print and electronic outlets to facilitate female contribution.
Former Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists secretary-general Fouzia Shahid was of the opinion that participation could be strengthened through access to workers unions.
Female presence is far less visible in decision-making cadres; therefore policies on wage structures and beat assignments encourage discriminatory practices, she added.
News reporting requires movement and mobility in public space. It entails access to government decision makers and those in powerful positions.
“The state of media is reflection of the social structure that routinely objectifies women and continues to assign them an inferior status,” noted Salman Asif, gender adviser at the UN.
While monitoring internal environments and encouraging sensitive code of ethics is important, until the society is willing to accommodate women in public space, their presence on the vanguard of journalism will remain limited, she said.
According to the report, women are not merely victims, but in many instances, stories illustrate their indomitable spirit in the face of adversity and conflict.
However, the fact remains that the increasing space awarded to Talibanisation, militancy and extremism have increased the risks of reporting from volatile locations.
The recent sprawl of television channels, driven by audience ratings, news content is often dramatised, and crime and violence is trivialised.
As the audience for print and electronic media forums continues to grow, the quality of content the editors and producers select and promote will certainly influence the battle for a space on the frontline.
