Gender, Risk and Journalism

Abstract

The central concern of this paper is to address the question, “Is it more dangerous to be a woman journalist when reporting conflict”. Beck states “risk is the anticipation of the catastrophe—so it is existent and non-existent”. Is the contention that female journalists are more at risk, knowledge, or a construction of knowledge? Are editors and journalists who decide that women are more at risk merely anticipating a catastrophe? There is no certainty, of course, that women are more at risk, but the fear that they might be can prevent them from being sent to cover conflict, or force them to decide not to go to dangerous places. Certainly, an improvised explosive device or rocket fire does not distinguish between sexes. In many situations being female actually helps women journalist in conflict zones. In this paper we present findings from a survey of journalists who work in conflict zones and ask whether it is the job or the gender which is the most dangerous?

KEYWORDS:

• gender
• journalist
• safety
• sexual harassment

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Men were found to be significantly more likely than women to hold freelance jobs, as well as to have “other” terms of employment (Byerly 2011, 33).

2. The INSI conducts research and training on safety for journalists.

3. See the 2014 INSI survey: 71 per cent of the respondents had over 10 years’ experience, 15.9 per cent had 5–10 years’ experience and 12.8 per cent had 0–5 years’ experience (INSI 2015).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Cardiff Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (CUROP).

Notes on contributors

Janet Harris

Janet Harris (author to whom correspondence should be addressed), School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University, UK.

Nick Mosdell

Nick Mosdell, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

James Griffiths

James Griffiths, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University, UK. E-mail: [email protected]