We interviewed several journalists who are experts in the field. Here’s their experience with being a women in newsrooms:
Why did you choose to pursue a career in journalism?
“To me, a career in journalism is a career that cultivates curiosity about the world we live in and allows me to explore the areas that strike my fancy.” - Marta Hill
“In my sophomore year of high school, there was a shooting at a Tree of Life Synagogue. This hit my community hard. The only way I was able to cope with the situation was through writing how I was feeling.” - Talia Lissauer
How do you feel women are represented in your area of reporting? How do you think the business challenges facing the news industry have impacted the representation of women in your field?
“Journalism schools are typically very heavily female, and that has definitely been my experience. My classes and student-run publication have both been heavily heavily female…I know, however, that that is not the case in many newsrooms.” - Marta Hill
“The biggest thing I've noticed (which I know is also tied to data) is that there are several female students in journalism schools but not as many in newsrooms.” - Rajesh"
“I think in any field of journalism, men outnumber women. In political journalism this is especially so. While women have become increasingly respected in these fields, there is still a long way to go in terms of the gender pay gap and being equally treated.” - Emily Spatz
Have you ever had an experience where you felt that being a woman in the journalism field set you apart from your male peers?
“Until the very end of the co-op, my boss only me to cover events specifically relating to the celebration of women and girls in sports, and he always made it pretty clear I was his last resort.The first time it happened, I didn't really think anything of it because it was an exciting opportunity, but when it happened twice more, I started to wonder if it was intentional (at least subconsciously).” - Julia Yohe
“I was working on a story about sexual assault on a college campus and I think people were more open about speaking to me regarding these issues because I was able to relate to them.” - Emily Spatz
“I feel like in every journalism situation I have to prove myself. It’s assumed that I want the human interest piece over the breaking news fire. It takes several well done stories for someone new to believe in me as a journalist whereas I’ve seen my male peers show one.” - Talia Lissauer
Do you have any role models in the journalism field that you look up to?
“"I look up to every woman in print journalism that has a byline on a page with only other men. I look up to every woman that sits in an editors meeting with only men. I look up to every woman that fights for the big story. I look up to every woman that has worked to create space in the newsroom for other women.” - Talia Lissauer
“Katie McInerney and Jeneé Osterheldt at the Globe.” - Julia Yohe
In your opinion, what are the advantages of having more women in journalism?
"The big advantage to having more women in journalism is simply hearing their voices. Although journalists aim to be impartial and unbiased, women journalists bring a unique perspective to the media and to their articles, creating a significantly more inclusive news landscape.” - Julia Yohe
“Women reporters will bring different ideas and perspectives to the table, just like they do in every field under the sun. If the structure that generates news and information for people is dominated by one group, it will undoubtedly leave out people in its coverage (this also applies to other forms of diversity).” - Marta Hill
“Women bring a unique perspective to any field and they are needed as reporters as much as they are needed in any other career. I believe women can be more empathetic than men in some situations which is key in humanitarian and political reporting.” - Emily Spatz
What do you hope for the next generation of young women entering the journalism field? What are your hopes for them? What would you like that space to be like?
“I hope newsrooms continue focusing on what they can do to be more welcoming to all types of diversity.” - Marta Hill
“I would like for journalism to be a field that isn’t connected to a gender. I hope no woman has to walk into a news room and feel like they have to prove themself more than the new male hire does. I hope no woman fears there story might not be taken seriously because the name on the byline is a woman.” - Talia Lissauer
“I hope that they won't have to anticipate and accept mild sexism in the newsroom so as to prove themselves worthy of an opportunity somewhere down the line.” - Julia Yohe