PROBLEMS OF WOMEN JOURNALISTS AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES ONFREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: A STUDY IN SHIVAMOGGA

Ms. Varnashree R, Research Scholar, Dept of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kuvempu University Shankaraghatta, Shivamogga, Mob: 8123443924

 Email: varnamanjula3924@gmail.com

Prof. Varghese P A, Professor, Dept of Journalism and Mass Communiction, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Shivamogga, Email: pulivarghese@gmail.com

Abstract:

Gender discrimination in society also extends to the professional fields. Profession of Journalism as it requires constant interaction with the public was an area notified only for men. As more and more women enter this profession the problems increases. A study in Shivamogga among ten women journalists point towards problems they encounter in this area. The researcher finds more than any other, the lack of opportunities to showcase their talents and abilities, and too much care dampens the spirit of the women journalists.

Key words: women journalist, media, Gender discrimination, freedom of expression.

Introduction

Media profession is challenging as, it demands long hours of hard work like 24 into 7, mostly field-oriented, with a higher workload compared to other jobs (Sarma,2021). The Fourth Estate, commonly known as the media, is a mighty force that significantly impacts society, government, governance, and democracy. Press or media does not have any extra freedom other than the right to freedom of speech and expression, protected under Article 19(1)(a), subject to reasonable restrictions as outlined in Article 19(2). And the Working Journalist Act of 1955 talks about working hours, salary, leave, and other facilities for journalists. The Act define working journalist as a person employed in a newspaper, including editors, leaders, news editors, sub-editors, feature writers, copy-testers, reporters, correspondents, cartoonists, news-photographers, and proof-readers(Andinje,2018).

Women journalists often face additional problems. Irene Khan (2022), a Gender Equality championstates,“The discrimination and threats that women journalists face are a big threat for gender equality”. The 76^th session of the UN general assembly supported the findings of Khan and asked governments to adopt special measures to ensure the safety of women journalists. Attacks on women journalists violate not only freedom of expression of individualsbut society’s right to information from diverse media. Second, there can be no trade-off between women’s right to be free from violence and the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Both rights must be equally upheld by States (UN, 2021).

In addition to facing unequal and targeted threats, women journalists and media professionals around the world are becoming the targets of real and online attacks.  Their exposure to gender-based violence suggests physical assault, sexist hate speech, and discrimination. As acknowledged by many UN resolutions, UNESCO promotes the safety of female journalists and works with partners to find and use best practices and disseminate advice to all parties engaged in preventing attacks against female journalists.  They collaborate with partners to create useful resources that newsrooms, media management, and journalists may utilize to address abuse both online and offline. And they organized extensive online training programs and collaborated with security personnel to raise awareness of gender-focused freedom of expression (UNESCO,2025).

Manjula (2015), in her bookKannada pathrikalokamahileyahejjeguruthu, lists out the Kannada print media women editors up to 1960 and discusses issues and topics related to the lives of women that appeared in media – embroidery, cosmetics, astrology, children rearing, health, empowerment, and some stories and articles written by women. 

There are many notable publications in Kannada language edited by women. Karnataka Nandini – a newspaper edited by NanjanaguduThirumalamba, Saraswathi– a monthly newspaper edited by R K Kalyanamma, Chithra- a magazine  edited by DwarakaBai from Bengalore, Jaya Karnataka - edited by Shyamala Devi Belagawkar, Suhasiniedited by K.Varijadevi andVeeraMathe edited by SarojiniMahishiare some of them.

Literature Review

Safa and Akter (2015)studied Challenges of female journalists in Bangladesh. More than 70 percent stated that they had faced sexual harassment in the office by colleague or boss. About 65 percent of women journalists faced problems like low pay, lack of protection from threats, harassment and vexatious litigations. Many women journalists were asked to cover only education, literature, culture, female page and food and fashion undermining their ability.

The journalism field remains predominantly patriarchal, with male bosses dominating. Women in the press face issues like low wages, marginalization, unfair labour practices, and sexual harassment. Interviewees acknowledge the prevalence of gender bias in their organizations, despite not experiencing such instances personally (Chakraborty et.al, 2015).

Watson Amy published ‘Gender distribution of newspaper journalists in the United States- 2017. The report covered the gender breakdown of journalists employed at selected fourteen newspapers in the United States. Men outnumbered women in the profession. From 41 percent of the women journalists inNew York Timesto 31 percent in USA Today (Watson,2019).

Singh’s (2016) study on women journalists' status in television channels shows that top posts like producers, executives, and chief editors were dominated by men, and important beats were assigned to men.

A study by Vinay(2020) highlights the significant challenges faced by women journalists, including lack of flexibility in working hours, lack of legal support, and inadequate safety measures, both in print and electronic media. It calls for organizations to address these issues promptly.

Objective of the Study

The objective of the study was to know the perspective of working women journalist on their freedom of expression.The study also sought to find out if gender discrimination existed in working place and to list gender related facilities provided at working place.

Methodology

The study was conducted in Shivamoggaamong randomly selected ten working women journalists from print and electronic media. The data was gathered through in-depth interview. 

Results and Discussion

Status of women journalists

The ten women journalists were in the age group of 26-30 years. All of them were well educated, as four had completed post-graduation in media studies, and others with graduate studies. But their annual pay package was very low – around 1.5 Lakh Indian rupees. Most of the respondents except one were single staying in the city away from their home in Paying Guest accommodation.

The ten women journalist working in various media organization, were serving their offices as Sub Editor, Reporter, RJ, desk workers, Anchors.

Working hours:All the respondents stated they had to work more than eight hours a day. No media house gave any flexible working hours for women. Only one respondent enjoyed hat freedom.

Gender discrimination in working place:

Out of 10, only one stated that there was gender discrimination in recruitment. All the respondents stated that they did not experience gender based salary packages. Two of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their professional status compared to men journalists, while eight felt they felt completely ok and friendly with working with men. All respondents not facing any Gender based salary decimation in working place they give same salary it’s based on designation  they are not suffer any gender discrimination in promotion opportunities. Four respondents said they are facing gender based unequal work assignments. They stated that women journalists are only assigned with covering soft news.

Gender related facilities

None of the respondents had any official travel facilities or accommodation. Expenses in field reporting are repaid by offices. Many of the respondents stated that women journalists are better cared for in Shivamogga that other parts of the State. Media houses gave special leaves such as menstrual leave, parental leave, or family care leave, as there was less work pressure in Shivamogga.

However, most of the media houses in Shivamogga had small office space and therefore no private space was available for women. None of the respondents had any experience of gender related harassment, except friendly comments.

Conclusion

The study provides an overview of women journalists working in various media organizationsin Shivamogga. There were no women journalists in Shivamogga reporting for the state or regional media. All the respondents also were from the local media. All of them were happy with the freedom of expression they had, office facilities and comfort. All of them were unhappy with too much care they experienced as they were not assigned important tasks and field reporting where security issues existed.

REFERENCE:

Andinje, Sathish Kumar(2018).  Bharathiya madhyama kanunu mathu nithi samhite.Banglore: Sneha publishing house.

Bali, Meenakshi(2010). Manada soothaka hingidode. Bangalore: Chinthana Pusthaka.

Chakraborty Joya, Hazarika Muktikam & Goswami Arunima (2015). Engendering media participation: the case of women journalists in Assam. Global Media Journal – Indian Edition.

Khan, Irene(2022).Free press Unlimited. Available at  https://www.freepressunlimited.org

Manjula, C.G(2015). Kannada pathrika loka mahileya hejjeguruthu. Bengalore: Karnataka media Academy

Safa Md Nurus and Tahera Akter(2015). Challenges of female journalist in Bangladesh Humanities and Social sciences.

Sarma Ranjanajyothi (2021).Women journalists the challenges and limitations in this research. IOSR journal of humanities and social science.

Singh, N.(2016). Analysing status of women journalists in Indian TV news channels. Abhinav national monthly Refereed Journal of Research in Arts & Education.

UNESCO(2025). safety of women journalist. https://www.unesco.org/en/safety-journalists/safety-women-journalists

United Nations(2021). Statement by Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression.Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Available at www.ohchr.org

Vinay(2020). Professional problems of women journalist working for Kannada news media: a study. Journal of Social Sciences.48(3).

Watson, Amy(2019). Gender distribution of newspaper journalists in the U.S. 2017. www.statista.com available in https://www.statista.com