A challenge to media professionals to realise democracy in practice, quality in journalism and an end to gender stereotyping
This challenge means to provoke its readers and make her or him think about the huge range of ways in which media professionals and media users allow gender stereotyping to continue. Often they will seem innocent or forgivable. Often stereotypes are not used with the intent to discriminate against others. Therefore the text includes strong examples and evidence gathered in different countries.
Table of content
Introduction
Facts
Fair portrayal needs to be fought for
Fact 1: taken-for-granted notions are dangerous
Fact 2: stereotyping is a form of power play
Fact 3: public journalism needs a wake-up call right now
Fact 4: women’s rights have become political collateral in populist politics
Fact 5: pornification is a disciplinary system
Fact 6: although some stereotyping is sexist, stereotyping is not the same as sexism, it is systematic misrepresentation
Fact 7: it’s a girl! The media are surprised when women do something well
Strengths
Tackling gender stereotyping by strengthening accountable journalism
1st Strength: journalists are nosy
2nd Strength: when journalists are open-minded and inquisitive men and women of the world
3rd Strength: Journalism is a reflexive profession
4th Strength: Journalism has an array of formats to tackle and rewrite gender stereotyping
5th Strength: the professional award
Tools
Combating gender stereotyping
Tool #1: Expert databases: women experts are not so difficult to find
Tool #2 Handy websites for those teaching journalists (or journalists teaching themselves
Tool #3: More good (and bad) practice examples
Tool #4: Mantras (for DIY purposes)
Tool 4.1 Stereotyping is a habit, gender is a construct
Tool 4.2 Why there will always be stereotypes
References
List of abbreviations and acronyms in this text
A challenge to media professionals to realise democracy in practice, quality in journalism and an end to gender stereotyping
This challenge means to provoke its readers and make her or him think about the huge range of ways in which media professionals and media users allow gender stereotyping to continue. Often they will seem innocent or forgivable. Often stereotypes are not used with the intent to discriminate against others. Therefore the text includes strong examples and evidence gathered in different countries.
