Violence Against Women In Journalism

Violence against journalist and specifically towards women journalists is an important issue today but is rarely confronted worldwide. The committee to protect journalists documents various attacks on journalists including targeted killings, physical attacks, censorship tactics, confiscation of equipment’s and anti press legislation. International media safety institute seems to have collapsed but some of its guidelines are yet practiced by some of the media agencies like Reuters. APTN etc. journalists are killed accidentally while covering in war zones like Syria, Afghanistan, etc. There is then violence against them just by being women journalists. These journalists then report of several cases of harassments, molestation, rape, murder, etc.

The issues relating to women are trivialized, sensationalised or distorted. If there is increase in the proportion of female employees there would be change in the content, programme quality and therefore a more balanced perspective in its coverage. There should be hard work, supportive management, and positive attitude instead there is newsroom resentment, exclusion and hostility towards women journalist. Today with internet and growing wave of women empowerment there is increased enrolment of women in this field and also increased level of participation through online media sites, blogs, tweets etc. There is also an argument that for women to make their voice heard journalism or the media space is stronger. There is an increased level of involvement by women in communication sectors but they usually get stuck in the middle and hardly reach at the top decision making level. Low wages, marginalisation, unfair labour practices, sexual harassment are some of the challenge faced by women journalist at work place. Therefore, instead of getting succumbed to the dominant set up one should take pro-active steps within their capacities to challenge and change the current state of affairs. Apart from these external issues the women also have to go through the challenges and limitations posed by their family and immediate society.

Media being the watchdog of democracy even unequal representation and inequalities between

the women journalists also in order to avoid any hassle so should have or understand the cultural and clothing norms of a certain place and adapt to it if necessary or out of respect to the natives while reporting on any foreign land. The journalists should also have situational awareness when in a new place in order to forecast any risk and stay capable of helping own self in crisis. There are various handbooks on safety for women journalists by the CPJ but none include a section on sexual harassment. It provides general tips from safety experts in the hope towards minimizing risk. BBC known for its trauma awareness is one of the few organisations providing safety instructions taught by women. More acknowledgement of this issue is happening but there is little policy or academic research and lack of joined up thinking. There should be greater media organisational responsibility, better governmental and police follow