Getting the balance right: gender equality in journalism; 2009 - Fokus

Journalism is no exception. Inside media and in the work ofjournalists we see evidence of how much still needs to be done toachieve equal rights for women. This booklet provides guidelines tojournalists and union activists on ways of bringing gender equalityinto the mainstream of our profession.The booklet is divided into four sections. Section One, ‘womenjournalists in the media’ sets out the current status of women mediaprofessionals, the level and areas of inequality and measures that areused to address them.Section Two ‘stereotypes in the media’ examines mediaperformance in portrayal of women and reinforcing or breakingdown existing stereotypes and raises some of the key professionalchallenges facing journalists in their reporting.Section Three ‘women in the unions and associations’ examinesthe role unions, professional organisations and union activistscan play in promoting equality and ensuring women are properlyrepresented in their decision making bodiesSection Four ‘ resources and contacts’ points to the tools thatwill get the job done- the resources that tackle gender equality in themedia and in the workplace, as well as a set of useful contacts whopromote women’s rights and gender equality in the media.2 GENDER EQUALITY IN JOURNALISM