Gender roles in the newsroom

Over the years, journalism and the press have altered the direction of society many times. From the progressive era to the recent election, journalists have played an important role in history and the events that shaped our nation.

While the role of women in journalism has not always been the same throughout the years, it is clear that it is an important role. From the early days of America to the present, female journalists have quietly, and at times loudly, made an impact in the lives of many.

Journalism needs the opinions of both men and women in order to deliver unbiased news to the public from different viewpoints. At a time when the integrity of the media is being called into question, it is important that men and women maintain equally important roles in the press.

A member of The Feather staff for three years and current co-editor in chief, Jennifer King, ‘17, believes being on the journalism team has taught her valuable lessons that she will be able to use in future careers.

“My older sisters were both a part of The Feather and learned so much from it, so I decided to join too,” King said. “Being a part of The Feather is more than just writing articles, you learn skills of leadership, confidence, and communication, all of which are valuable in the world. This experience has been nothing but good, it really pushes you to be a truth seeker when telling the news.”

Unlike many professions, women were able to find a place in journalism fairly quickly. However, it was still a male dominated line of work for a large time. This did not stop women from continuing to carve their way into the press, and soon, it was not uncommon to hear of women editors and even publishers.

Women writers such as Ida Tarbell and Rachel Carson paved the way for future journalists by daring to report about things that other writers, including their male counterparts, never dared to write. These writers reported events without making them biased. Today they serve as an inspiration to many young women who are looking to find a career in journalism.

Co-editor-in-chief of The Feather, Phillip Christopher, ‘17, believes all journalist, regardless of gender, have the responsibility of reporting the news in an unbiased matter.

“I think guys and girls do have equal roles in journalism,” Christopher said. “As journalists, everyone has the responsibility to tell stories that are accurate and don’t stretch the truth. That responsibility is not limited to a specific gender.”

Christopher believes that men and women often specialize in different areas of journalism, but ultimately, your gender should not restrict what area of the press you wish to be involved in.

“In sports, I’d say men are more dominant in sports journalism, although we see women like Erin Andrews becoming popular on networks like ESPN,” Christopher said. “In politics, we have people like Megan Kelly and Sean Hannity. Overall I’d say if you have a passion for a specific area of journalism, you can be successful no matter what gender you are.”

Juliana Lozano, ‘18, joined the journalism team this year and is already enjoying the experiences that come along with it. While she has always had a love for writing, Lozano believes being on the journalism team will help her improve her writing skills.

“It’s been a really positive experience,” Lozano said. “I’ve learned a bunch of new skills that I can take with me in my next careers. I think girls should be in journalism because there are many opportunities to improve writing and it can be a way to gain connections in the world.

“The role of women in journalism is to spread the word of issues for women and men alike, and to provide a different viewpoint on the same subject that men have covered,” Lozano continued. “I think that women also are able to cover stories from a different perspective. Women should be in leadership positions because of their qualifications, and not just because of their gender.”

Journalism needs women and men alike who are willing to report the news they witness with an unbiased and reliable perspective. If you are interested in joining journalism, speak with a Feather staffer or one of The Feather advisers, Greg Stobbe or Kori Friesen, about how you can join.

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