A Feminist Approach to Journalism
The gender gap still very much exists and when it is covered in news, the true experiences of women are not accurately reflected. Non-conforming genders, identities, and expressions that exist beyond traditional, normative frameworks also fail to be properly covered. Men are the most prominent voices and contribute to journalism that is ineffective as it ignores the voices and experiences of women and individuals with diverse identities.
To mitigate this issue, a “decolonial feminist” approach needs to be taken by reporters to undo modern gender and colonial perceptions that continue to be hard-wired into our society. It is a necessity for anti-colonial and anti-racist viewpoints to be integrated while elevating the voices and movements of marginalized groups. This would also enhance the safety of all women journalists, including those facing multiple forms of discrimination.
Principles of Feminist Journalism
There is a set of standards that have been proposed by feminist journalists that set out to improve or replace the existing male paradigm. One principle centers around refraining from attacking anyone or using derogatory names. Also, there can be no employing of opinion-based nouns or adjectives that characterize, label, or judge the opinions, actions, ideas, or attitudes of other women—or men. Another principle of feminist journalism is to ensure the information being laid out is factual. Basically, priority should be given to facts over opinion. While journalists are entitled to express their own opinions, all people must find that others' conclusions are useless without facts. Conclusions without facts tend to keep readers more apathetic and make them feel like they’re dependent on the decision-making of others.
A third principle that is important to follow in feminist journalism is that people should speak for themselves. The best way to dispel stereotypes and achieve accuracy allows individuals to present their own case directly to the public, enabling them to define themselves. Journalists taking a feminist approach should not talk about what women do and think. Instead, they should be letting women tell it for themselves. People are the best experts on their own experiences, and neither they nor the public require a reporter as an intermediary to interpret their stories. The goal of this approach is to empower them to share their own narratives, whether through writing, broadcasting, or other media platforms.
Lifting Up the Voices of the Oppressed
Women do not all face the same struggles, so every type of experience should be acknowledged. For example, the oppression faced by white women is not the same as that of women of color, especially if they do not neatly fit into the gender binary. Putting all women in the same category as a “universal experience” reduces the complexity of the diverse struggles women face worldwide, blocking out their distinct challenges. It is highly important to give a voice to those that are the most underrepresented while bringing light to inequalities caused by capitalism. The identities and experiences of women can overlap and include issues such as gender-based violence, limited access to education, and poverty. Women have varying levels of privilege and do not all face the same issues, but solidarity can still be found in the general struggle they face daily, compared to the average man.
Even if experiences differ, there are still common complaints women have about news media. For instance, women find the image of women in media is usually too derogatory, restrictive, and inaccurate. Women can fundamentally agree on the general feeling of not being represented properly. They also can agree on media not carrying enough news coverage of women’s activities and issues, particularly considering the percentage of the public that consists of women. They also see a lack of sufficient employment of women in the media, especially in policy-making positions. This unfortunately results in men speaking for the female population, which is approximately 53%). All in all, it is clear that significant reform in media representation and employment practices is necessary to ensure women’s voices and experiences are accurately reflected and heard.
