Female Journalists

Should women journalists be sent out to cover conflict zone?

Yes, they should. Women journalists should have the right to make their own decision of whether they should be allowed to go to cover conflict zone or not. They should be given a chance to choose for themselves but also be aware of the consequences of their decision.

 “At newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, women have changed the very definition of news and, with it, the nation’s political agenda. As more and more women entered newsrooms, they brought new sensibilities. Stories about education, welfare, children and the elderly have landed in greater numbers on the front pages of the nation’s most esteemed newspapers. Stories from war-torn countries have taken on more of a human face and stories from our own backyards have spawned public responses to homelessness, domestic abuse and child prostitution.”  Stated Jodi Enda in one of her articles headed ‘Women Journalists See Progress, but Not Nearly enough’. Here she clearly states why women do a good job in covering conflict zones and how they have brought an immense change in the complex world of journalism.

There are certain things women are comparatively better at and that is dealing with sensitive topics.  While covering war zones, women can interact and communicate with the rape victims more comfortably and efficiently than a man could, as the victim would feel less awkward talking to someone of the same sex and who also might have also been through similar experiences. Without female correspondents in war zones, the experiences of women there may be only a rumor. Another fact that while interviewing strangers, they are comfortable in letting a woman enter their house rather than a man, as they feel due to women’s lack of physical strength they pose less of a threat. Hence women have easier access to certain areas.

Agreed, that women are at a greater risk in this field and hence the company ends up at being responsible for the risk taken. This results in an immense loss and a fall in the reputation of the company. Yes, Men are physically strong and are less prone to molestation or rape, so why not send them out for these projects and play it safe? But then that does not give women the freedom and the opportunity to prove that they can do this job equally well, if not better, and if a woman is ready to take the risk while being fully aware of the danger involved and the consequences of her decision, she should at least be given a choice.

Due to the fear of not being allotted a certain project as being weak or susceptible to molestation or rape, women journalists have stopped reporting the harassment they face as they feel that would affect their job and they would not get challenging projects in the future. In the case of Lara Logan, CBS Correspondent, molestation case, she smoothly converted the matter into a win-win situation by saying “see being a woman helped me gain access to the chief justice”, so as to protect her job. They cannot file a complaint to the respective authorities as that would affect their career and consciously or unconsciously their bosses will make decisions to send men in place of them for the next project.

 To solve, rather, improve the current position of women, certain steps should be taken by each organization to ensure the safety of the women while making sure that that does not hinder her success. Gender booklet, a book compiled and edited by Aidan White, states some very important and useful points that each organization should follow. Such as, Women journalists should be encouraged to discuss their particular needs for support and protection with their colleagues—male AND female—and ensure that these are met. Colleagues and managers should be aware of the unnecessary pressure women can experience to prove that they are capable of doing the job. It must be made explicitly clear to everyone that sexual harassment and uninvited sexual advances are unacceptable. Male bosses should be aware of this and acknowledge the threat and fear of rape. If working as an embedded reporter, don’t assume anything in terms of your personal safety. Do all you can to be clear in advance about the conditions you might face. Ask who will meet you, where you will sleep, etc, so you know what to expect.

If possible, women journalists should be allowed a say in who they would like to work within a team.

 Women journalists (including freelancers) should also, if possible, have the opportunity to train in self-defense. Women need smaller and properly-fitted body armor which they can wear comfortably.

 Colleagues—male as well as female—should take the initiative to ask women they’re working with if they need more feminine supplies. Before any assignment, female employees and their managers should make sure they know of any local customs specific to women. Female and male freelancers deserve the same support as their staff colleagues.

 

Also some good practical advice would be to carry a personal attack alarm. Wearing a wedding ring can deter unwelcome attention. If visiting Muslim countries, pack a head-scarf/chador just in case. Take care before going out with wet hair. In some cultures, this can be misinterpreted as a sexual signal.

 

There are many ways of solving issues related to gender biasness, one just has to take the stand and make sure that the methods are applied and followed regularly and properly. In that case there is absolutely no reason why women should not cover conflict zones and go all out to explore and succeed in their career.