Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies - Current Issue

Diversity in the newsroom is both a moral obligation and a strategic advantage, ensuring accurate representation of reality and diverse perspectives for the public while driving success in the media industry. However, newsroom diversity often hinges on leaders’ perceptions and commitment to inclusivity, which significantly influence their strategic decisions, fostering transformation and innovation within their organizations. This effect is particularly evident among minority leaders, such as women, who often have a deeper understanding of diversity due to their underrepresentation in the media industry. To examine this notion, this qualitative study conducted in-depth interviews with 31 Indonesian women media leaders on diversity’s impact on newsroom practices and the media business. The findings reveal that women leaders challenge entrenched norms by addressing patriarchal structures, masculine work environments, rigid business models and unsafe working conditions for journalists. They promote diversity and gender equality, fostering inclusive and effective organizational learning that drives innovation and business success. Leveraging their experience and credibility, they lead meaningful transformation within and beyond their organizations.

Drawing upon postcolonialism feminist theory, this study aimed to explore the presence of women in key leadership positions across selected broadcasting media in Ethiopia, with a specific focus on Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and Ethiopian Broadcasting Service (EBS). The research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing survey questionnaire, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and document analysis as data collection tools. Survey questionnaires were administered to 405 journalists, while 30 in-depth interviews and three FGDs were conducted with media managers, editors and senior journalists. Additionally, human resource documents and managerial reports from the media houses were examined to gain insights into women’s representation in leadership positions through document analysis. Findings indicated a dearth of women in top media leadership roles, with most women holding middle and lower positions in broadcast media establishments. It was found that obstacles in leadership selection processes and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes and gender prejudices in media workplaces impede the progress of women. Hence, this study recommended to include tailored training for women journalists and structural changes within media organizations to address these issues. Addressing biased leadership representations and political interventions is also crucial for promoting gender equality and professional development within the journalism industry.

Globally, journalists have long contended with censorship, imprisonment and physical attacks as mechanisms to suppress their work. However, a new dimension of intimidation has emerged: X trolling. This article explores the experiences and reflections of journalists confronting online trolls and attacks on the X platform. Drawing on in-depth interviews with a select group of South African journalists who have endured online hostility, harassment and abuse, the study reveals critical insights into the nature of X trolling in this context. Findings indicate that such attacks are both gendered and ideologically driven. Female journalists face a disproportionately higher risk of trolling and harassment compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, trolls often leverage political affiliations and ideological positions, including ties to political offices, to target and intimidate journalists. This research underscores the evolving challenges to press freedom in the digital age.

Although women constitute a significant segment of Pakistan’s population, they have faced persistent barriers to growth and development since the nation’s inception in 1947. Women in journalism experience similar constraints, rooted in colonial legacies and deeply embedded intersectional inequalities. This study explores the challenges and resilience of women journalists in Pakistan’s media landscape through a mixed-method approach, combining a social survey with in-depth interviews of television professionals. Drawing on postcolonial feminism and intersectionality as analytical lenses, the findings highlight pervasive sexual harassment and gender bias, alongside threats of violence, online abuse and intimidation of family members – factors that discourage coverage of politically or security-sensitive issues. Additionally, familial, societal and religious expectations hinder career progression. Despite these barriers, gradual shifts driven by expanded social media access, rising educational attainment and evolving cultural attitudes indicate a slow but promising trend toward greater gender inclusion in media and related sectors.

This article discusses mechanisms that media stakeholders are integrating at a practice level, industry context and at policy level to help curb the harassment of female journalists. The mechanisms being implemented in our case studies, South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, can be used as a blueprint for the continent. We are, however, aware of contextual differences especially for a vast continent as Africa which is diverse with 54 countries, with different political cultures, beliefs and regimes. Hence, when we draw some conclusions from this micro-case study, we are cognizant of these limitations. The insights in this article were gleaned through a combination of designs: semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with journalists’ associations, media regulatory bodies and media-related civil society organizations. We also analysed documents from state and non-state journalism organizations, governmental bodies, media regulatory agencies and relevant advocacy groups to understand nuances concerning the safety of female journalists and mechanisms being used to respond to this pandemic. The overarching, and worrying, observation from this study is the absence of any government-led policy intervention meant to tame this professional harassment on female journalists. There is heavy reliance on broad constitutional and legal provisions which are failing to translate to an improved media operating environment. Civil society interventions are limited to training and financial support which is not enough to address these attacks. Journalists’ bodies have been relying on ‘whistleblowing’ victimizers through advocacy initiatives.

This study critically examines the intersectional challenges encountered by Dalit women journalists in India, investigating how caste, gender and class collectively influence their professional experiences and safety within the media industry. Using a qualitative research approach, this study employs in-depth semi-structured interviews with twelve Dalit women journalists working across mainstream, vernacular and independent media organizations. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling to ensure diversity in regional and professional backgrounds. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring patterns and structural barriers within the journalistic profession. This research uncovers systemic exclusions, discriminatory beat allocations, microaggressions and the absence of Dalit women in leadership roles. The findings reveal how caste hierarchies intersect with patriarchal newsroom cultures, further restricting career opportunities and exposing Dalit women to heightened risks of both online and offline harassment. In this context, grass-roots platforms like Khabar Lahariya serve as crucial spaces for resistance and empowerment. However, they remain constrained by financial instability and institutional marginalization. By integrating intersectionality theory, feminist media theory and the critical political economy of media, this study argues that addressing these barriers requires institutional reforms, including inclusive hiring policies, anti-discrimination mechanisms and equitable resource allocation. By focusing on the lived experiences of Dalit women journalists, this research contributes to broader discussions on media diversity, newsroom inclusivity and the role of grass-roots journalism in contesting institutional hierarchies.