Journalism is a field in which both men and women can succeed, but it is
a profession that has traditionally been considered the domain of men. Many of
the stereotypes and prejudices that initially made it difficult for women to
break into this profession during the late 19th century are still causing
difficulties for female journalists today, particularly in some fields of
journalism and in certain countries and culture.
Sexual violence, threats and attacks against female
journalists are widespread but rarely talked about within journalistic circles,
in the news media or by non-governmental organizations. One of the reason being
that many woman journalists, from across the globe, who have been sexually
abused choose to remain silent due to cultural and professional stigmas that
could mean losing future assignments.
Jenn Nordberg, a New York-based Swedish
correspondent, was in Pakistan in October 2007 to cover the return of Benazir
Bhutto, the exiled former prime minister who would be assassinated two months
later. During a chaotic procession in Karachi that day, Nordberg became
separated from her colleagues and surrounded by a crowd of men who sexually
assaulted her. She was freed only after people in a passing truck pulled her to
safety. She told CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists) why she chose not to
talk about it until now, “It's embarrassing, and you feel like an idiot saying
anything, especially when you are reporting on much, much greater horrors,”
Nordberg wrote to CPJ in February. “But it still stays with you. I did not tell
the editors for fear of losing assignments. That was definitely part of it. And
I just did not want them to think of me as a girl. Especially when I am trying
to be equal to, and better than, the boys. I may have told a female editor
though, had I had one.”
It was only after the public denouncement of the
brutal attack and sexual assault of journalist Lara Logan while reporting for
CBS News from Egypt’s Tahrir Square, in February 2011, other women were
encouraged to start sharing their experiences of having been sexually harassed
and assaulted while working on assignments. Recently many women have decided to
talk publicly about this violence in order to help other female journalists and
support them to report these crimes and call for justice.
Now it’s not that women are the only victims
of covering risky protests. Many cases have been recorded in which male
journalists have been victimized. They were threatened, beaten up, molested and
even murdered but no restrictions are ever imposed on them in terms of covering
strong news instead women are not offered or called off such assignments
considering it to be a taboo supposedly . It’s true that both male and female
journalists enjoy certain professional advantages because of their sex. Male
and female journalists may have better access to domains that are dominated by
men or women. For example, in many cultures men and women tend to live separate
lives, so a male journalist may not be allowed to mix with women in order to
hear their side of the story. Similarly, a female journalist may be able to
achieve better results when interviewing female victims of sexual assaults, as
they may find it easier to gain the trust of the interviewee. Mindset being
that the female sex is more vulnerable to sexual assault during warzones and
protests they are pulled back from such assignments even if they’re strong
supporters or informative of them.
One should not undervalue the critical contribution of
women to journalism. They need to be encouraged to carry out there jobs with
utmost dedication, support and precautions. Giving an example, Caroline Wyatt,
a BBC News correspondent, recognized the different perspective that women
journalists bring to reporting on war: “a little less focus on the bombs and
bullets, and more on what the end of the Taliban's rule in the north would mean
for the families we met, and for their future.”
Women journalists need to realize their job with
adequate security, protection and high-level support, but as Zeina Awad,
co-host of Fault Lines says “I don't think we're served by turning the
discussion into a narrative of female victimization.” But gender-biased
decisions continue to affect the assignments and potentially the careers of
women correspondents and Tina Susman recommends that instead of stopping
female reporters (seen as potential rape victims) from going to conflict zones,
their agencies, editors and colleagues “should offer better security measures
and effective safety tips.”
I strongly believe that women entering this
profession are well aware of the pros and cons that are associated with it.
They take up an assignment only after discerning well about their own safety,
family background, career prospects etc. and if they are ready to take the risk
one shouldn’t underestimate or dissuade them or their abilities and try to
safeguard their reputation mingling with their sex.
-Midushi Kochhar
No comments:
Post a Comment