Fact Sheet No.
10
Women
and the Media
With the ongoing revolution
in global communications and the introduction of new information technologies,
the potential now exists for the media to make a historic contribution
to the advancement of women.
Unfortunately, however, the
print, visual, audio and electronic media in many countries do not provide
a balanced picture of the diversity of women's lives and their contributions
to society. Pornographic and violent media products degrade women
and negatively affect their participation in society. Mainstream
programming that reinforces women's traditional roles can be equally limiting.
The continued projection of
negative and degrading images of women, as well as their unequal access
to the information technology, was identified as a critical area of concern
in the Platform for Action, adopted by the Fourth World Conference on
Women in Beijing in 1995. The Conference called for the empowerment of
women through the enhancement of their skills, knowledge and access
to information technology.
In 1996, during its fortieth session, the United Nations Commission on
the Status of Women elaborated on the recommendations made by the Beijing
Platform for action on the issue of women and the media, and proposed
further action to be taken by 缅北禁地member states, international organizations
and civil society in this regard.
A Greater Role for Women
in Decision-making
Since the Beijing Conference,
women have reached high-level decision-making positions within media organizations
in several countries. Women are also increasingly taking up careers
as journalists, reporters and broadcasters.
- In Iran, a woman was appointed
as the presidential advisor in charge of press affairs.
- In the British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) in the United Kingdom, women in senior executive positions
increased from 19 per cent to 29 per cent in 1995-1998. The BBC's goal
was to have women occupy 30 per cent of senior executive positions and
40 per cent of senior and middle management posts by the year 2000.
- In the Seychelles, women
actually constitute the majority of the national broadcasting company's
production and journalistic staff and occupy most senior posts.
- In Italy, three women have
been appointed to the board of directors of the public radio and television
services.
- In Burkina Faso, women were
appointed as directors of the national television service and a private
radio organization.
- In Trinidad and Tobago,
a woman was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of one of three daily
newspapers.
- From 1987 to 1997, the percentage
of women journalists in Hungary rose from 10 per cent to 33 per cent.
Women are now editors-in-chief of two nationwide daily newspapers.
Women's Media
The most frequent and perhaps
the most significant development reported by governments has been the
emergence of columns and programmes devoted to women's issues, as well
as the establishment of publications and broadcasting stations for women.
These new media outlets have helped to increase the participation and
positive portrayals of women in the media.
- The British Virgin Islands
has seen the emergence of a women's column in one of three weekly newspapers,
a television channel for women, and radio programmes providing valuable
information on women's health, legal and other issues.
- In China, there were more
than 80 women's journals in 1997, and seven of 32 television stations
were running women's programmes in 1998. The programme "Half
the Sky", produced by China Central Television, has become influential,
broadcasting special topics of relevance to women.
- Yemen has two newspapers
devoted exclusively to women's issues, both headed by female editors-in-chief.
In addition, four quarterly women's magazines are headed by women.
- Two of Vanuatu's local newspapers
have columns allocated to women's issues. The country also has two radio
programmes devoted to women's issues and violence against women, as
well as a monthly women's newspaper.
Internet
In countries where access to computers is available, increasing numbers
of women have gained access to the computer technology and the Internet.
From 1995 to 1998, women's online engagements were estimated to have increased
from 8.1 million to 30.1 million globally, and were expected to reach
43.3 million in 2000. The development of electronic mail has allowed women
to disseminate information in a faster and less expensive way, enabling
them to network, organize and mobilize more effectively.
- The Gender in Africa Information
Network (GAIN) provides an electronic networking space to share news,
information and activities across Africa on issues of gender justice.
- The Asian Women's Resource
Exchange is an Internet-based women's information service and network,
working towards developing cooperative approaches and partnerships to
increase access to new technologies for women's empowerment.
- AVIVA, a "webzine"
run by an international group of women based in London, acts as website
host to women's groups and services globally.
- WomenWatch, the United Nations
internet gateway on the advancement and empowerment of women, was launched
in March 1997. In 1999, the site held online working groups on
all the critical areas of concern identified by the Beijing Platform
for Action, focusing on good practices and lessons learned. The results
of the working groups will be integrated into the Beijing five-year
review. WomenWatch averages over 10,000 hits per month.
Tackling the Stereotyped Portrayal
Government reports show that
in most regions there has been an increase in media coverage of women's
issues and concerns, and steps have been taken to promote a more balanced
and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media. Efforts have also
been made to increase gender-sensitive training for media professionals.
- Nigeria has sponsored the
production and airing of jingles in English and Hausa to promote positive
images of women, with a special focus on successful women in traditionally
male-dominated professions.
- Jamaica's Women's Media
Watch (WMW) has worked with journalists to change the way women are
depicted in the media, and to influence broadcast policy and legislation.
- In the Netherlands, a "Guide
to Effective Image Making", containing advice from professional
"image-makers" on how to identify and break stereotypical
gender images, is being completed this year. The national broadcasting
corporation is undertaking a five-year pilot project to find practical
ways of generating broader and more varied images of both women and
men.
- In Brunei Darussalam, women's
achievements and activities have been highlighted in a special column
in the government newspaper and in a weekly television programme.
- In Denmark, radio programmes
on the 12 critical areas of concern identified in the Beijing Platform
for Action have been produced for broadcast in Asia, Africa and Latin
America.
- Austria, Latvia, Nigeria
and Swaziland are among the countries that have held gender sensitization
workshops for journalists.
This fact sheet is
based on "Review and Appraisal of the Implementation of the Beijing Platform
for Action: Report of the Secretary-General" (E/CN.6/2000/PC/2).
Published by the
United Nations Department of Public Information
DPI/2035/J—May 2000
