| Description |
Women aren't often quoted in the news, and when they are, they are seldom quoted as experts. Media critics say the news ignores the value and prominence of women in society. However, reporters striving for objectivity often feel uncomfortable going to unusual lengths to find women to quote. This paper examines the ethical questions associated with giving women "a voice" in the news. It begins with a summary of the history of women as reporters and women's growing authority in newsrooms across America. It looks at studies that show the dominance of men in news coverage. This thesis weighs traditional journalistic values of objectivity and fairness against deliberately seeking women as sources in the news. Finally, this paper includes interviews with women reporters who deal in practice with what this paper deals with in theory: how are women portrayed in the news, and just how much should a reporter do to change that portrayal? |
