Over the years a large number of studies have pointed at gender related problems in the news media, both in terms of representation and portrayal in content as well as gender balance in staffing, managementand ownership in the sector itself. Such problemsare of course not unique for the media, but rather a reflection of norms and structures in societies.a In more recent years issues of gendered disinformation and hate speech targeting women, and specifically women journalists, in an increasingly digitalised media world, have been observed.

This study is unique in its attempt to map bothlaw and policy (regulation and self-regulation) and identify measures to promote gender equality in the media and women’s freedom of expression. The study covers policy instruments adopted at international, regional, national, industry and media house levelsin over 100 countries. Parallel to the global study, case studies have been developed in a sample of countries in which Fojo Media Institute is active: Armenia, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Somalia, Sweden and Zimbabwe.

The analysis reveals patterns of inconsistencies between commitment to gender equality in national policies, as well as gender equality in media policies and legislation. Widespread interest in gender equality at the overall international and national level does not appear to filter into statutory media sector regulation.

On a supranational level, there is a long-standing agreement between United Nations (UN) members States to advance women’s rights and gender equality in and through the media, as part of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action forthe Advancement of women (BPfA, 1995). For the 189 member states, the BPfA is a morally binding action plan, connected to the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). 

Section J of the BPfA specifically deals with gender equality and the media, calling on member state governments to “promote women’s full and equal participation in the media, including management, programming, education, training and research”. Such calls on State bodies can instil tensions between guaranteeing women’s freedom of expression on the one hand and respecting media freedom and independence on the other hand. This might also be the reason why some of the member states are reluctant to act on this call (Sweden among others).

However, there are several examples of states that have taken progressive action to promote gender equality in the media. One example is Iceland, where the Media Act (Article 23) requires media organisations to submit annual reports to the Media Commission detailing for example the share of women and men in content and among their staff.

Given that news media have an important rolefor checks and balances in a democratic system,a maximum of independence from the state is considered to be preferable. Any media regulation imposed by the state should be consistent with Freedom of Expression. At the same time, the state has an obligation to protect the right to Freedomof Expression of all people, including marginalised groups (often women and girls) and minority groups.

All countries exist in unique cultural and historical settings, in which media have developed. Countries like Sweden, with a long tradition of women’s rights movement and extensive gender equality legislation, score high on measures of gender equality in the media. In 2020, 38% of the people seen or heard in Swedish news media were women, compared with 25% globallyc. Furthermore, the gender balance in the journalist corps has tipped in favour of women. The Swedish example shows that change towards gender equality in media can come about without specific provisions on gender equality in media related laws, but rather as an effect of general gender equality laws and a growing societal awareness.