Gender and the News Media: A New Approach to Building Lasting Peace?

In the same way that societies have become increasingly polarized along competing political or ideological positions news journalism often takes one-sided positions over others. Certain interests and certain voices are accorded grossly disproportional print coverage or broadcast time. The Global Media Monitoring Project starkly demonstrates that the diversity present in reality is veiled in the world depicted in the news. Further, the news magnifies and normalizes discrimination, injustice and inequality on the basis of gender difference. Drawing on the Project's research findings, the presentation suggests how peace can be advanced with the help of gender fair, responsive and balanced reporting. It argues that representing society in all its diversity is the key to the emergence of a more equitable world.