Female entrepreneurs in digital journalism

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research is to identify whether any differences exist between journalistic start-ups including and not including women within their founders and editorial team. Four hundred and fifty-six digital news media registered in the directory SembraMedia were analysed. SembraMedia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to increasing the diversity and quality of Spanish language content in Hispanic-America by helping digital media entrepreneurs become more sustainable and successful. The results of this study reveal that digital media which include women cover socially sensitive issues and give visibility to the most marginalised groups; they go to more diversified sources of income and more participatory governance systems; and they offer more deliberate and reflective information, less dependent on immediacy and topicality.

KEYWORDS:

• Female journalists
• horizontal segregation
• entrepreneurial journalism
• digital news media
• gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Francisco Javier Caro-González

Francisco J. Caro-González is a full professor of management of media at the University of Seville, Spain. His research areas include media management, entrepreneurship, social enterprise as well, as gender studies. He has published four books, more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and more than 20 chapters in handbooks and other collected volumes.

Isadora Sánchez-Torné

Isadora Sánchez Torné is a professor of Applied Economics at the University of the Seville, Spain. Her research areas include Corporate Social Responsibility, entrepreneurship, social enterprise and gender studies. She has published 2 book chapters, more than 10 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Macarena Pérez-Suárez

Macarena Pérez-Suárez is a PhD and teacher of Applied Economics of the University of Seville, Spain. Her research areas include Co-operatives, Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise and Social Economy. She has published 6 book chapters, more than 10 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals.