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WHO MAKES THE NEWS? Three Weeks of Global Action on Gender and the Media
1) What is the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP)?
For one day in 1995 and again in 2000, men and women in 70 countries came together to scrutinise the portrayal of women and men by the world news by monitoring stories in newspapers, TV and radio. On 16th February 2005, the experience was repeated in 76 countries.
It took almost one year to gather and analyse all the results from around the world.
2) How much media was monitored around the world?
12,893 news items on television, radio and in newspapers
The findings of The Global Media Monitoring Project will be announced on February 15, 2006, launching the Three Weeks of Action to challenge news media worldwide to ensure that both men and women 'make the news'.
3) Why focus on the news media?
News media is a key source of information for the general public
Media-generated information influences perceptions and understanding about what happens in the world.
However, the news media selects what is covered, how it is covered, the time allotted to each item and the order in which they are presented. These editorial choices are often made from select viewpoints and experiences and do not necessarily offer a "window on the world" but rather express the priorities and values of those who make the editorial choices.
"News media owners and news editors are overwhelmingly male and they routinely decide what news women should hear and read. What is the impact on all of us when the news is constantly reported from a male point of view? Keep in mind that media leaders are not just leaders in that industry, but have the power to shape society's attitudes." (mediachannel.org)
Why focus on gender?
Women make up 52% of the world's population - but only make up a tiny fraction of the world's news story subjects.
. On one day in 1995, women were 17% of news subjects
. Five years later, women were only 18% of news subjects worldwide
In the subsequent years, these figures have been supported by research at the international, national and regional level.
Research over the last 30 years supports the findings of GMMP 1995, 2000 and 2005.
Whilst some countries perform better than others, these figures show that everyone can do better to ensure women are fairly represented in and through
news media
Don't women have a story to tell?
4) What are the goals of "Who Makes The News?"
To promote gender equality in the media for leaders of the news media, editors, media owners and journalists worldwide.
To challenge leaders of the news media, editors, media owners and journalists worldwide to show their commitment to this issue by:
o taking substantial and immediate action to ensure that the news media is balanced and fair in representing both men and women in their reporting
o taking substantial and immediate action to ensure that the news media is balanced and fair in representing both men and women in their reporting
o making efforts to represent all the world's people to enhance understanding of the concerns of the global community
o devoting greater space to reflect issues of gender equality in media coverage.
The GMMP website encourages all interested throughout the world to
become involved through this website in challenging the media globally to fulfil their democratic responsibility to represent women and men in a fair and balanced way.
6)How can I get involved?
WACC and its partners are eager to welcome everyone's contribution. You can keep informed by visiting the website or contacting us on:
General Queries: infoatwaccglobal.org
To see the collection of prior postings to the list,
visit the WhoMakesTheNews
Archives.
(The current archive is only available to the list
members.)
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