Gender and Media —A Holistic Agenda

1/2018 Gender and Media —A holistic agenda

+plus Community media networks in Latin America Media Development is published quarterly by the World Association for Christian Communication 308 Main Street Toronto, Ontario M4C 4X7, Canada. Tel: 416-691-1999 Fax: 416-691-1997 Join the World www.waccglobal.org Association for Christian Communication! Editor: Philip Lee Editorial Consultants WACC is an international organization that pro- Clifford G. Christians (University of Illinois, motes communication as a basic human right, essen- Urbana-Champaign, USA). tial to people’s dignity and community. Rooted in Margaret Gallagher (Communications Consultant, Christian faith, WACC works with all those denied United Kingdom). the right to communicate because of status, identity, Robert A. Hackett (Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, or gender. It advocates full access to information and Canada). communication, and promotes open and diverse me- Cees J. Hamelink (University of Amsterdam, dia. WACC strengthens networks of communicators Netherlands). to advance peace, understanding and justice. Patricia A. Made (Journalist and Media Trainer, Harare, Zimbabwe). Robert W. McChesney (University of Illinois, MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Membership of WACC provides opportunities to Urbana-Champaign, USA). network with people of similar interests and values, Samuel W. Meshack (Hindustan Bible Institute & to learn about and support WACC’s work, and to College, Chennai, India) exchange information about global and local ques- Francis Nyamnjoh (CODESRIA, Dakar, Senegal). tions of communication rights and the democratiza- Rossana Reguillo (University of Guadalajara, Mexico). tion of the media. Clemencia Rodriguez (Ohio University, USA). Ubonrat Siriyuvasek (Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand) WACC Members are linked to a Regional Associa- Annabelle Sreberny (School of Oriental and African tion for the geographic area in which they are based. Studies, London, United Kingdom). They receive regular publications, an annual report, Pradip Thomas (University of Queensland, and other materials. Regional Associations also pro- Brisbane, Australia). duce newsletters. In addition, members are invited to participate in regional and global activities such as seminars, workshops, and webinars. Subscriptions to Media Development Individuals worldwide US$40. Full details can be found on WACC’s web site: Libraries and institutions in North America and www.waccglobal.org Europe US$75. Libraries and institutions elsewhere in the world US$50.

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4 Editorial 36 Gender mainstreaming in journalism and communication 5 Addressing gender issues in schools media content UNESCO / UNTWIN Sarah Macharia 39 Genre et radiodiffusion 8 Media gender equality regimes Evelyne Faye Claudia Padovani 41 Community media networks in 16 A hard ladder to climb: women Latin America and power in media industries María Soledad Segura Karen Ross 44 On the screen 19 Les Régulateurs des médias audiovisuels: Acteurs pour l’égalité de genre Amina Lemrini Elouahabi In the Next Issue 23 Technology and women’s empowerment The theme of the 2/2018 issue of Carolyn M. Byerly Media Development will be “Journalism Today”. WACC Members and Subscribers to 25 Investing in young women: Media Development are able to down- Sustaining women-led load and print a complete PDF of community media each journal or individual article. Sian Rolls

28 Imagine media that promote gender justice Joanne Sandler

33 Violence against women in media and digital content Aimée Vega Montiel

3 Media Development 1/2018 one of five specific areas requiring more robust EDITORIAL commitments by governments. Specifically, HRW proposed that: The 62nd session of the Commission on the “The post-2015 agenda should promote Status of Women (CSW) will take place at the gender equality and women’s rights, including United Nations Headquarters in New York, 12-23 a requirement on governments to work to end March 2018. gender discrimination and promote equality in The CSW’s priority theme will be their laws, policies, and practices.” “Challenges and opportunities in achieving Recently, the centrality of this agenda gender equality and the empowerment of rural was reaffirmed in debates and initiatives at the women and girls.” In addition, there will be a international level. These included the Global review theme titled “Participation in and access Alliance for Media and Gender (GAMAG); the of women to the media, and information and United Nations Women Global Compact “Step it communications technologies and their impact up for gender equality in the media”, UNESCO’s on and use as an instrument for the advancement Gender Sensitive Indicators for Media, the and empowerment of women.” UNESCO University Network on Gender Media The Beijing Fourth World Conference and ICT, and a number of advocacy and scholarly on Women (1995) underlined the urgency of contributions to the debate. advancing gender equality in the two strategic WACC’s own Strategic Plan 2017-2021 objectives of Platform J: to increase the includes the goal “To support civil society participation and access of women to expression in the Global South to combat sexism in the and decision-making in and through the media media.” In part, WACC does so through its and new technologies of communication; and acclaimed Global Media Monitoring Project to promote a balanced and non-stereotypical (GMMP) and other initiatives that generate portrayal of women in the media. evidence on the gender dimensions of news The 47th session of the Commission on reporting. Monitoring findings are applied the Status of Women (2003) stressed the need to awareness creation, critical media literacy for media and telecommunications companies training, advocacy, and engagement with media to address gender-based discrimination. In 2005, professionals on media policy and practice. the Outcome Documents of the World Summit The articles in this issue of Media on the Information Society (WSIS) noted the Development are shortened versions of some need to “promote balanced and diverse portrayals of the position papers prepared by the Global of women and men by the media” and stated: Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG) to be “We recognize that a gender divide presented to the 62nd session of the Commission exists as part of the digital divide in society on the Status of Women (2018). However, while and we reaffirm our commitment to women’s gender equality and equitable participation empowerment and to a gender equality in - and access of women to - the media and to perspective, so that we can overcome this divide... information and communications technologies We encourage all stakeholders to support can undoubtedly be achieved by women alone, it women’s participation in decision-making will happen much more quickly and effectively if processes and to contribute to shaping all spheres gender equality were recognized by men as a task of the Information Society at international, for them as well. regional and national levels.” As the American feminist and political Even so, in its paper “Rights Should Be activist Gloria Steinem has affirmed, “A gender- Central To Post-2015 Development Agenda”, equal society would be one where the word Human Rights Watch (HRW) identified ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be “Strengthening the rights of women and girls” as themselves.” n

4 Media Development 1/2018 reappear in various global, regional and national Addressing gender gender equality and women’s rights frameworks adopted over time (see Table 1). issues in media The 17 Sustainable Development Goals “seek to realize the human rights of all and achieve content gender equality and the empowerment of all Sarah Macharia women and girls (Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN In 1995, Governments participating in General Assembly, 2015). The role of media in ad- the Fourth World Conference on Women vancing gender equality is mentioned specifically in the Post-2015 development blueprint under in Beijing reached consensus on specific Goal 5 on enhancing the use of “information and strategic objectives and related actions communications technology, to promote the em- to advance equality, development and powerment of women”. peace for all women. One objective – to At the same time, it is clear that media are “promote a balanced and non-stereotyped implicated in the achievement of gender equality aspirations in all the 17 SDGs, in as far as their role portrayal of women in the media” (Section in maintaining social and cultural norms under- J on “women and the media”, Beijing pinning discrimination and inequality across all Platform for Action, 2015) – listed several thematic areas is concerned. For instance, how actions, inter alia, promoting research and could removal of social barriers to the empower- implementing an information, education ment of girls and women (Agenda 2030 Declara- tion, para 8), or eliminating gender violence (para and communication strategy, encouraging 20) be possible if media content that channels the media to refrain from exploitation, negative gender stereotypes, belittle, degrade and sexualisation and commodification of sexualize women, and normalize gender violence, women, and promoting the idea that are not addressed? Media output that clearly chal- sexist stereotypes in media are gender lenges gender stereotypes provides the expos- ure needed to eliminate the prejudices, attitudes, discriminatory, degrading and offensive. norms and practices that sustain gender-based discrimination, marginalization and inequality. ight years later in 2003, the Commission on the The Convention for the Elimination of Status of Women recognized “the potential of E All Forms of Discrimination Against Women the media and of information and communication (CEDAW) recognizes the role of stereotypes in technologies to contribute to the advancement “giv[ing] rise to the multitude of legal, political and empowerment of women” (Agreed conclu- and economic constraints on the advancement of sions CSW47, 2003). The CSW proposed 24 women (Introduction, CEDAW, UN General As- actions for Governments, the UN system, inter- sembly, 1979). Article 5 of the Convention obliges national financial institutions, civil society, the States parties to take measures to “modify the so- private sector and other stakeholders. The Com- cial and cultural patterns of conduct of men and mission underlined the need to prioritize gender women with a view to achieving the elimination perspectives in ICT and media policy and regula- of prejudices and customary and all other practi- tions, to support research, education and training, ces which are based on the idea of the inferior- to strengthen inter-stakeholder partnerships, to ity or the superiority of either of the sexes or on tackle media-based violence against women and stereotyped roles for women and men”. Combat- to allocate adequate resources. ting sexist stereotypes in the media is a necessary The recommendations and commitments part of the process.

5 Media Development 1/2018 Table 1: Policy instruments containing explicit gender & media indicators

Instrument Indicators Protocol to the African Charter 3.3: States Parties shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to prohibit any exploitation on Human and Peoples’ Rights or degradation of women on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003) 12.1(b): States Parties shall take all appropriate measure to eliminate all stereotypes in textbooks, syllabuses and the media, that perpetuate such discrimination.

South African Development 29.1 – States Parties shall ensure that gender is mainstreamed in all information, communication Community Protocol on and media policies, programmes, laws and training in accordance with the Protocol on Culture, Gender and Development Information and Sport and other regional and international commitments by member States on (2008) issues relating to media, information and communication,

29.2 – States parties shall encourage the media and media-related bodies to mainstream gender in their codes of conduct, policies and procedures, and adopt and implement gender aware ethical principles, codes of practice and policies in accordance with the Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport;

30.1a - States Parties shall take measures to discourage the media from: promoting pornography and violence against all persons, especially women and children, b) depicting women as helpless victims of violence and abuse, c) degrading or exploiting women, especially in the area of entertainment and advertising, and undermining their role and position in society; and, d) reinforcing gender oppression and stereotypes;

30.2 – States Parties shall encourage the media to give equal voice to women and men in all areas of coverage, including increasing the number of programmes for, by and about women on gender specific topics and that challenge gender stereotypes;

30.3 – States Parties shall take appropriate measures to encourage the media to play a constructive role in the eradication of gender based violence by adopting guidelines which ensure gender sensitive coverage.

European Union: Roadmap for V. (Elimination of Gender Stereotypes in Society). Equality Between Women and Men (2006) Key Actions – the Commission will support actions to eliminate gender stereotyping in education, culture and on the labour market by promoting gender mainstreaming and specific actions in the European Social Fund, ICT programmes and in EU education and culture programmes, the Commission will support awareness-raising campaigns and exchange of good practices in schools and enterprises on non-stereotyped gender roles and develop dialogue with media to encourage a non-stereotyped portrayal of women and men.

Council of Europe Convention III.17.1: Parties shall encourage the private sector, the information and communication on Preventing and Combating technology sector and the media, with due respect for freedom of expression and their Violence against Women and independence, to participate in the elaboration and implementation of policies and to set Domestic Violence (Treaty No. guidelines and self-regulatory standards to prevent violence against women and to enhance 210) (2014) respect for their dignity.

Inter-American Convention Chapter III (Duties of the States) on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence 8) (g) encourage the communications media to develop appropriate media guidelines in order to Against Women “Convention contribute to the eradication of violence against women in all its forms, and to enhance respect of Belem Do Para” (1994) for the dignity of women.

Secretariat of the (74) to recognise that community media and women’s media networks are important for Pacific Community: collaboration and partnerships; (75) Ensure that government communication and media Recommendations and strategies effectively promote their gender equality commitments; (76) to recognise and fully Outcomes of 12th Triennial respect the knowledge held by women; (77) research with gender analysis, on the impact of Conference of Pacific Women inappropriate uses of ICTs, and called for the development of national regulatory infrastructure (2013) and policy.

6 Media Development 1/2018 The evidence State media regulatory agencies While State media regulators, media industry bod- 1. Require media houses to adopt and enforce a gender ies and media organizations have to varying ex- policy and guidelines for gender-sensitive reporting; tents made efforts to translate the global, regional 2. Include, in media evaluation criteria, issues of gender balance and demonstrated adherence to the gender and national commitments into implementable policy; policies, codes and guidelines for the media, the 3. Impose meaningful fines on media houses found liable results remain uninspiring. The evidence below is for sex discrimination, sexist content or other actions of non-compliance with the gender policy; and, confined to the news media due to the availability 4. Build capacity of staff responsible for hearing cases on of a volume of data gathered over time and across media non-compliance with the gender policy. multiple nation states. Media Results from Global Media Monitoring Pro- 1. Develop a gender policy and gender aware ethics and ject (GMMP) 20-year research on gender in news practice codes, with action plans and targets for imple- mentation; media content reveal that the rate of progress to- 2. Engage with community media organisations and cit- wards media gender parity has been very slow. izens’ media networks to advance gender equality in News is a genre governed by professional content production; codes and can be held to a higher standard than Civil society fictional media. The critique, however, cuts across 1. Advocate for fair and equal representation of women all media forms that are just as and oftentimes and men in news media. Lobby for gender policy adop- tion and implementation for and by media. more complicit in the sexualisation, trivialization 2. Establish gender-focussed media watch and apply the and objectification of women, as well as the nor- results as evidence for public and media awareness, for actions to hold media accountable through State, in- malization of violence against girls and women. dustry and media house complaints mechanisms, and to support media houses committed to gender equality. Recommendations Funding agencies The research evidence suggests that more than two 1. Support the strengthening or establishment of media decades since Beijing, gender issues in media content watch networks. remain pertinent. The power to change lies with 2. Support media development work that emphasizes gender equality in content production, media in-house governments, the media and ordinary audiences. policies and practices Governments need to acknowledge the im- Source: Who makes the news? 2015. n portant place of media and communication within the broader objective of promoting gender equal- References ity and women’s empowerment. Professional African Union, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and media in particular have a fundamental obligation, People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, 11 July 2003Council of Europe, The Council of Europe Convention following industry ethics, to present balanced, fair on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and and accurate content. Media organizations need Domestic Violence , November 2014 to be accountable to the societies in which they Organization of American States (OAS), Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication operate and the audiences they serve. of Violence against Women (“Convention of Belem do Para”), Gender equality is embraced as a global goal 9 June 1994 UN Commission on the Status of Women, Participation in and media have a significant role in promoting or and access of women to the media, and information and in sabotaging its achievement. Weak and inconsis- communication technologies and their impact on and use as tent implementation of gender policies needs to be an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women, Agreed Conclusions. March, 2003 addressed. Institutionalization of a gender-sensi- UN General Assembly, Convention on the Elimination of All tive journalistic culture remains paramount. Forms of Discrimination against Women, 18 December 1979, A/RES/34/180, UN General Assembly, Transforming our world : the 2030 Agenda The following recommendations are minimal for Sustainable Development, 21 October 2015, A/RES/70/1 requirements. United Nations, Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women, 27 October 1995 World Association for Christian Communication, Who makes the news? Global media monitoring project (GMMP), 1995-2015

7 Media Development 1/2018 ments, international and regional organizations, Media gender and media companies as well. Therefore, scrutiny of the interplay between gender, politics, and media equality regimes policies remains crucial a) to develop necessary knowledge on the contradictions that prevent Claudia Padovani gender equality from becoming a reality in the Developing gender-empowering media media and ICT sector and b) to elaborate sound policy proposals that are needed to support and policies and normative frameworks for the foster actions aimed at redressing persisting in- media has been flagged since the Beijing equalities. Fourth World Conference on Women The GAMAG aims at contributing to a bet- (1995) as one of the steps to be taken in ter articulation of how to think, approach and foster order to meet the goals of Section J of the gender-aware media and ICT policies and normative frameworks at organizational, national and inter- Beijing Platform for Action (PfA): those national level. We do so in due consideration of of promoting equal access to the media the multiple gaps and shortcomings that emerge and decision-making (J1), and eliminating from investigations in the field, and of the need to gender stereotypes in media content (J2). promote a policy-focused multi-stakeholder en- gagement in the definition of theoretically-sound, n the occasion of CSW47, in 2003, partici- evidence-based and effective normative frame- Opants called for policies and adequate regu- works for ‘Media Gender Equality Regimes’ at all latory frameworks to address gender-based dis- levels. crimination, while highlighting that the lack of, or insufficient attention to, gender perspectives in Background media and communication policies also needed to Area J of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) be addressed. clearly stated that governments and other actors More recently, the centrality of normative are called upon to promote “an active policy of components – such as codes, policies, strategies mainstreaming of a gender perspective in (media) and governing arrangements - in combating per- policies and programs”(par. 237) and should sup- sisting inequalities, has been reaffirmed in debates port research which reviews existing media poli- and initiatives at the international level, including cies (par. 239.b). The document also encouraged in the contexts of the Global Alliance for Media “the participation of women in the development and Gender and its Research and Policy Com- of professional guidelines and codes of conduct mittee; the Un Women Global Compact “Step it or other appropriate self-regulatory mechanisms up for gender equality in the media”; the Untwin to promote a balanced and non stereotypical por- University Network for Gender Media and ICT trayals of women by the media” (par. 241.d) while as well as by a number of advocacy and scholar- calling for media organizations themselves to ly contributions to the debate (UNESCO/IAMCR “elaborate and strengthen self-regulatory mech- 2014). anisms and codes of conduct” to comply with the At the same time, attainment of the Sus- objectives in Section J (par. 236 and 244.a/b). tainable Development Goals, in particular Goal At its 47th meeting, in March 2003, the 5 – Gender Equality – but more broadly the com- Commission on the Status of Women, highlighted prehensive set of SDGs, requires serious consider- the risk that gender “differences (in representation, ation of the normative frameworks to be put in access and use of media and information technol- place, at all levels, from the local to the global. ogies) have important implications for policy de- Evidence shows that, as of today, past recom- velopment at national, regional and international mendations have been widely disregarded by govern- levels (CSW47 2003_Final, par. 2).

8 Media Development 1/2018 Moreover, being held while preparations been widely investigated: few focused analyses for the UN World Summit on the Information have been conducted, which have not yet translat- Society (WSIS) were in progress, the Commis- ed into a consistent strand of reflection. sion made an explicit call to integrate gender Few researchers have engaged with supra- perspectives in every facet of the Summit and of national fora – such as the Unesco and the WSIS, information societies’ future normative develop- the Internet Governance Forum and others – ex- ments. To this end, the Commission indicated, as posing the low level of awareness and attention for a very first Recommendation for action, that of gender inequalities in media and digital contexts, ensuring “women’s early and full participation in and related international debates, and providing the development and implementation of nation- insights on how such gaps could be addressed (Gal- al policies, legislation, … strategies and regulatory lagher, 2008, 2011; Jensen, 2008, 2010; Droussu and technical instruments in the field of informa- and Jensen 2005; McLaghlin and Pickard 2005). tion and communication technologies (ICT) and Sparse interventions have discussed media and communications” while creating ad- policy-related aspects of media gender inequal- equate “monitoring and accountability mechan- ities with a regional focus – from North America isms to ensure implementation of gender-sensi- (Beale, 2002; Shade, 2014) to Europe (Sarikakis tive policies and regulations as well as to analyze and Nguyen, 2009; Ostling and Nenadich, 2017) the gender impact of such policies” (par. 4a). and Latin America (Chaher, 2014) – and only re- It also encouraged “regulatory bodies … to cently attempts have been made to collect per- promote full participation of women in the owner- spectives on gendered media policies from across ship, control and management in the ICT and the world regions (Padovani 2015; Padovani and media sectors (par. 4b). Furthermore, the Com- Pavan 2017). Most research lamented very limited mission recommended the constitution of partner- commitment towards the Beijing PfA policy rec- ships, to develop “self-regulatory gender-sensitive ommendations. guidelines for media coverage and representation, Moreover, looking at regional-level policy for public and community media to work in sup- interventions, particularly in the European Union, port of gender equality” with a specific reference it has been highlighted that policy-making related to need to provide financial resources and other to the media and audio-visual industries has been support measures to this end (per. 4e), including characterized over time by a lack of attention to resources to support research to “review existing gender equality issues and a seeming lack of com- media and ICT policies” (par. 4f). mitment in pursuing gender-sensitive outcomes It should be noted that, in spite of such an (EIGE 2013; Ross and Padovani 2017); while explicit recognition of the relevance of regula- where regulatory mechanisms have been put in tory arrangements to promote and sustain gender place in a consistent manner, as in the Southern equality in the media and ICTs, the recommen- Africa region, this has been the result of sustained dations made in the above mentioned documents advocacy commitment (GenderLinks 2017). have been widely disregarded and policy-related The general situation is highly problematic aspects of media gender unequal relations have as far as the actual inclusion of gender inequality been amongst the least considered, not to say ig- concerns in national media policies. No comprehen- nored, by policy actors, and by media and ICT in- sive international research has been conducted dustries, at different levels. to provide evidence on the existence and/or im- plementation of gender and media relevant poli- Evidence from research cies at the national level. What emerges from the It should also be acknowledged that, while there Preliminary findings of a recent UNESCO Global have been decades of research looking at the broad- Survey on Gender and Media (2016) is that only er gender and media agenda, media and gender-re- 35% of world governments have mainstreamed lated policies and regulatory mechanisms have not media and gender issues by integrating media and

9 Media Development 1/2018 gender in national cultural policies and programs; ies surveyed in Middle East and North Africa had in 37% of cases gender strategies do not include adopted a company policy on gender equity; while, references to media; and a similar percentage as indicated above, more than two-thirds of the characterize media regulation for regulatory bod- surveyed media companies are reported having ies that relate to gender equality in content, staff- a specific policy in Southern Africa. And yet, the ing or ownership. “relationship of national laws to workplace poli- Contributions to Ross and Padovani (2017) cies on gender equality was unclear in many cases” shed a similar light on the European context, (IWMF 2012, 36). also characterized by minor efforts to elaborate These studies have also highlighted exam- gender-aware national media policies. Small sign ples of good practices, such as the adoption of of growing awareness emerge from Latin Amer- gender equality policies and support mechan- ica, particularly Argentina (Chaher 2014; Justo isms in public service television in countries like 2017) and Mexico (Vega Montiel, 2014); both Sweden, the UK, Spain and Austria and South Af- cases, again, where the role of civil society organ- rica; or measures to enforce gender-equality in the ization and professional female associations have media adopted by independent regulatory author- been crucial to have gender concerns included in ities in countries like France and Morocco. But media policy framing, arranging for monitoring even when internal policies are in place, this does and redress mechanisms. And yet sustainability of not seem to be a sufficient condition to produce such mechanisms over time is identified as a major better gender-responsive media outputs in terms issue. of content, access, participation. Recently, two major international projects According to IWMF in some cases policies, have included a systematic focus on media organ- codes and mechanisms adopted by media organiz- izations’ internal policies and support mechan- ations have the potential to make a difference, but isms in their framework of investigation (IWMF, no clear correlation amongst different situations 2011; EIGE, 2013). What these projects show is could be found. Differently, according to the EIGE that in spite of recommendations made since the Report, when European media companies have mid ‘90s, gender equality policies, codes of con- adopted policies, codes and mechanisms (which duct and support mechanisms in media organiza- is more likely for public organizations), a higher tions are not a widespread practice. probability to have a higher percentage of women The IWMF report showed that slightly in decision-making positions could be found more than half of the (500) companies surveyed (EIGE 2013: 46). Scholars and advocates have also have an established company-wide policy on reflected on the nexus between gender and policy gender equity. These ranged from 16% in Eastern developments in relation to digital technologies, European to 69% in both Sub-Saharan Africa and the Internet and its governance. Western Europe (IWMF 2011, 34). While accord- Critical feminist analyses of regional de- ing to the EIGE report only one quarter of selected velopments pertaining to “digital agendas” have (99) media organizations across 28 EU countries been recently collected by Padovani and Shade (26 %) have a Gender Equality Policy or code of (2016). Contributions on digital strategies adopt- conduct, and 21 % have equality of opportunities ed in Canada, India, the MENA region, Europe or diversity policies (EIGE 2013, 37). Nor there and Australia all showed the marginality of gender has been any significant improvement regarding concerns in digital policy development; the ma- the availability of gender equality policies in re- terial and discursive shifts in social and digital cent years (Ostling and Nenadich 2017). policy that contribute to the adoption of narrow/ Moreover, wide variations in the adoption neoliberal frames for gender equality; and the of gender-related policies can be found both be- need to unpack the meta-narrative of technology, tween and within the different regions: according gender, and development that characterizes policy to IWMF only around a fourth of the 38 compan- narratives from the national to the regional level

10 Media Development 1/2018 (Gurumurty 2016; see also APC 2012). comparative – is needed to gain a comprehensive Gurumurthy and Chami (2010, 2014) have understanding of how normative frameworks argued for the need to move beyond the assump- relate to gender equality in practice, in different tion that digital technologies are empowering “per geo-cultural and socio-economic contexts; to in- se”, stressing the fact that socio-technical practices tegrate reflections conducted on traditional and reproduce gender power differences. Hence, be- on digital media; to collect, make visible and share side looking at institutional policy making, they existing good practices; and to promote policy invite to critically engage with gender-unequal awareness as central to gender equality in media norms that are privileged in structuring the Inter- and ICTs future developments, in order to elabor- net and ICTs, their design and architecture. ate, implement and monitor policy measures and While looking at internet governance as normative developments. a space of policy discourse – from the Internet Governance Forum to the technical community Media gender equality regimes – Avri Doria (2015) has highlighted the rhetoric- To inform and support policy developments and al nature of gender-relevant statements in formal related research, we argue that a comprehensive documents and provisions, the limited degree of understanding of media gender inequalities is women participation and the marginality of sub- needed, also through the adoption of adequate stantive women’s issues discussed. Worth men- analytical frameworks. Though efforts have re- tioning, in this context, are the contributions cently been made to elaborate indicators (Unesco, made by feminist advocates and organizations, 2012) and fostering good practices (CoE, 2013) like the Association for Progressive Communica- with a multi-dimensional perspective, what still tion (APC), that has a longstanding commitment seems to be missing is a comprehensive frame- in fostering gender equality in digital policies, in- work that would support research, monitoring cluding by articulating feminist principles for the and policy practice. Internet (APC 2015). We hereby propose to address the multi- Not only is the Internet a gendered space plicity of issues under discussion elaborating and that does not provide equal access to women and adopting such a multidimensional approach: that girls, but also “the policies necessary to make ICT of “media gender equality regimes” (iMaGERs) accessible to girls and women everywhere have understood as “interrelated practices, meanings not been dealt with – in Internet governance – as and processes, aimed at transforming systematic a serious manner” (Doria 2015, p. 6) gender disparities that characterize the media sec- Overall, the lack of awareness of how im- tor” (Padovani and Pavan, 2017): practices, mean- portant comprehensive normative frameworks ings and processes that are, or rather should be and policy provisions would be in addressing grounded in agreed upon principles and norms, media and ICTs gender inequalities, has been and carried out through systems of empowering widely identified as a major constraint to the im- regulatory mechanisms (Padovani, forthcoming). plementation of gender mainstreaming standards Working through a “media gender equality (Ross and Padovani 2017). In this context, scru- regimes” approach offers a twofold opportunity. tiny of the interplay between gender, media and On the one side gender inequalities in the media ICTs policies remains crucial to develop neces- take many different forms and persist, across the sary knowledge on the contradictions that pre- world’s regions, in areas of representation and vent gender equality from becoming a reality in recognition, access and inclusion, working condi- this sector; while structural and cultural barriers, tions and decision-making, education and power from the local to the supranational level, need to relations in general; and yet rarely are these issues be fully appreciated in their interaction with com- discussed in their intersection and their interrelat- munication and ICT policy developments. ed nature (Dierf-Pierre 2011). The iMaGERs as More research – focused, transnational, and an analytic approach invites focusing not on sin-

11 Media Development 1/2018 gle, specific forms of inequality, but on the inter- ures include: play and intersection of multiple forms of priv- * media internal policies, as well as self-regula- ilege and disadvantage, that come to constitute tory measures, codes of conduct and mechan- the media and ICTs as gendered orders (Connell isms; 2009); and to render the complexities of interlock- * national media and ICTs policies and strat- ing practices and processes that result in continu- egies, that should include gender concerns; ing inequalities (Acker, 1989). * national strategies for gender equality, that As highlighted by Walby (2004, 22) when should acknowledge the centrality of the gender relations are understood not as a series of media and digital technologies; disperse and separate phenomena, but as part of * actions to be adopted and initiatives promoted a regime, or a system, “then it is possible to see by independent media regulatory authorities; how such a wide range of inequalities may be ad- * consideration for the ways in which civic dressed”. And this calls for normative frameworks organizations and professional associations and regulatory arrangements capable of address- contribute to frame and articulate normative ing systems of interconnected unequal relations. standards and framework for media and ICTs On the other side, the iMaGERs can be operation and content; adopted as a normative proposal, highlighting the * inclusion of gender equality concerns and principled and normative component of media goals in the design of digital technologies, and ICTs sectors’ operations. Thinking of regimes software, hardware and infrastructures; as “implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and * existing supranational – transnational, region- decision-making procedures around which ac- al and international – normative frameworks tors’ expectations converge in a given area” (Kras- addressing gender concerns in relation to ner 1982) highlights the need for normative and media and ICTs. regulatory arrangements that should support co- ordination of interested stakeholders’ behaviour Policies and normative frameworks in addressing gender inequalities in the media are crucial and ICTs. Media gender equality regimes (should) The “media gender equality regime” approach result from a plurality of practices and processes could thus orientate and support the development grounded in, and bound together by principles and implementation of normative frameworks, and beliefs that – in response to the Beijing PfA and the adoption of policy measures, which are and CSW47 calls for gender-aware policy de- crucial to expose and address inequalities in a velopments – should also translate into norms, number of ways. In fact, as it has been highlighted: regulatory provisions and formal policies. * the construction of formal, publicly promot- In this perspective, principles of inclusion, ed and integrated equality strategies and/or respect, dignity, equal opportunities, equal ac- policy frameworks, constitutes the clearest cess to means of expression, knowledge and re- evidence of an organization’s commitment to sources; as well as explicit reference to women’s gender equality (Ross and Padovani, 2018); communication rights should be embedded in ar- * formally adopted policies and mechanisms ticulated sets of regulatory measures to be ideat- are core to define principles and goals, re- ed, designed, developed, and implemented. Also flect normative orientations while providing in this case measures are not to be conceived and a framework to assess progress and change adopted as separate and disconnected, but rath- (Gallagher 2011, 2014, 2017); er as inter-connected components of normative * public policies and regulations can contribute frameworks for media and ICTs gender equality. to implementing profound cultural transform- In consideration of the multi-actor, ation that is needed to achieve a needed redis- multi-level and multi-dimensional character of tribution of symbolic resources, particularly gender-empowering media policies, these meas- those related to the maintenance of gender

12 Media Development 1/2018 inequalities (Chaher 2014) stitutions, and regimes that contribute to repro- * by establishing sanctioning elements, such ducing gender inequalities, as well as other forms measures can also contribute to guarantee of exclusion and discrimination in contemporary sustainability over time of positive changes to- knowledge societies. wards gender equality (Gallagher 2011, 2017) In this light, gender-empowering normative when it is clear that progress in this area is frameworks for media and ICTs operations could not a linear process and step-backs are always do more than just promote gender equality in the a possibility (GMMP 2015; Ross & Padovani specific media and ICTs sectors. By making the 2017); media and ICTs more gender equal, they would * national and international normative frame- also impact on all other sectors in society, since works that articulate media gender equality for the media are not just reflection of societal trends both traditional and digital media, are key to but also represent, anticipate and embody desired support media operations, while contributing societal transformations. Furthermore, they may to mainstreaming gender in communication provide a model for the development of compre- governing arrangements (Padovani 2014; Pa- hensive and intersectional normative frameworks dovani and Pavan 2017) in and across other sectors where gender equality * a better understanding of the policy dimen- is to be realized. Finally, they would mainstream sion in media operations may lead to produ- gender across policy arrangements related to every cing evidence-based, sound and consistent single SDG, while contributing in reconfiguring policy recommendations for gender equality power structures that perpetuate societal unequal in and through the media; developments. * policy-oriented investigations may foster a Building on the above mentioned studies, re- productive dialogue between gender and ports and policy documents, consistently with the media scholars and communication govern- media gender equality regime approach, and with ance analyses and practices (Sarikakis & Shade the aim of responding to on-going calls to foster 2008; Padovani 2014), the outcome of which gender equality in and through the media by de- may inform future normative and policy de- veloping and implementing adequate normative velopments. frameworks, the following Recommendations are made: Recommendations * At the level of media and ICT industries, steps Recalling Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development should be taken to address the lack of gender Goal – “Providing women and girls with equal ac- awareness on the part of both women and cess to education, health care, decent work, and men working in such environment - particu- representation in political and economic deci- larly those occupying senior and managerial sion-making processes will fuel sustainable econ- positions - and to address the lack of formal omies and benefit societies and humanity at large” provisions which define media and ICT in- – we highlight the centrality of media gender dustries’ normative standards in relation to equality regimes to the attainment of such goal; as gender inequality issues. well as its relevance to all other SDGs. * We call for the adoption, at the level of media We argue it is not enough to mainstream organizations, of formal and integrated equal- gender issues. It is also necessary to recognize the ity strategies and policy frameworks, including intersection of various forms of inequality and support mechanisms for monitoring, evalu- oppression, and to address the main power struc- ation and action. These measures should be tures that contribute to maintain and reproduce a requirement for media and ICTs operation. gender and other inequalities, within, across and This is important in structural terms, so that beyond the media and ICTs. Such structures cer- an equality ethos is firmly embedded in the tainly include interconnected norms, values, in- organization; it also provides a clear signal to

13 Media Development 1/2018 all employees that equality issues are taken nationally, to develop awareness and know- seriously and that behavioural change needs to ledge, across IT industries and educational follow policy change, thus fostering sustaina- institutions, of gender concerns in relation bility of gender-equal changes over time. to ICTs design, and to elaborate normative * At the same time, national and international frameworks that would support and inform normative frameworks that restate and ar- gender-aware technological development. ticulate media gender equality as a priority * Finally, we call for the arrangement of inter- for both traditional and digital media, and disciplinary and inter-sectorial multi-stake- for knowledge societies in general, should holder exchanges of information, knowledge be elaborated to engage media operators and and good practices.2 These should be or- all interested stakeholder in efforts to realize ganized on a regular basis and institutionally gender equality. supported, to create the conditions for an * We call for specific references to the role and on-going dialogue between gender and media relevance of media and communications to be scholars and professionals and other actors made within general gender equality national involved in the governance of communica- strategies; as well as for a specific commitment tions, so as to develop the capacity to address to gender equality in national media policies the challenges deriving from future media and and digital strategies, and in international ICTs developments also through adequate communication governance provisions. These policy interventions, with a forward looking developments may result from collaborations gender mainstreaming perspective. n between different institutional actors: includ- ing UN agencies, national Governments, Par- Notes 1. This position paper has been elaborated by Claudia Padovani, liamentary Committees and Communication Director of the Center for Gender Studies @ SPGI Independent Authorities, with the participa- Department, University of Padova (Italy); Member of IAMCR Task Force for Gamag and of the Gamag Research and Policy tion of professional and civic organizations, Committee; University of Padova Focal point to the Unitwin gender expert and researchers, and of the University Network on Gender Media and ICT. media themselves. 2. A collection of good practices in relation to media policies and normative frameworks for gender equality in the media * We also invite a better understanding of the is currently being curated as part of an EU-funded project: gendered policy dimension of the media Advancing Gender Equality in Media Industries (AGEMI), sector and its governance through the elab- co-funded by the “Rights, Equality and Citizenship/Justice” programme of the European Union and coordinated by Prof. oration of regular monitoring and research Karen Ross (University of Newcastle, UK) and Prof. Claudia activities. Adequate resources should be made Padovani (University of Padova, Italy) and will be online in available to research, in order to produce late 2018. For further information, contact: agemi.eu@gmail. com evidence-based, sound and consistent policy recommendations for gender equality in and References Acker, J. (1989). “Inequality regimes: Gender, Class and Race in through the media, traditional and digital, Organizations”. Gender & Society, 20. from the local level to the national and inter- Association for Progressive Communication (2015). How national; Technology Issues Impact Women’s Rights: 10 Points on Section J. Accessible at: http://www.genderit.org/sites/ * In particular we call for a commitment to- default/upload/sectionj_10points_apc.pdf wards a global research plan, focused on gov- Association for Progressive Communication (2012). Critically ernance structures and governing arrange- Absent. Women’s Rights in Internet Governance. APC Issue Papers. Beale, (2002). “Gender and Transversal Cultural Policies”. In M. ments to better understand to what extent and Raboy (ed) Global Media Policy in the New Millenium. Luton: under what conditions public policy and regu- University of Luton Press. Chaher, S. (ed)(2014). Public policies on communication and gender latory interventions may produce/facilitate/ in Latin America: the Path Ahead of Us. Asociación Civil support the necessary change towards gender Comunicación para la Igualdad (English text: pp. 98-192). equality in and through the media and ICTs. Commission on the Status of Women 47 (2003). “Participation in and Access of Women to the Media. Agreed Conclusion”. * We also call for efforts to be made, trans-

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15 Media Development 1/2018 at the broader gender and media agenda, espe- A hard ladder to cially looking at issues of representation and con- sumption, there has been rather less research on climb: women and working practices, careers and promotion within media industries themselves. One of the first ef- power in media forts to document and analyse the specific issue of women and decision-making was commissioned industries by UNESCO and reported on as Women and Media Karen Ross Decision-making: The Invisible Barriers (1987). In her introduction to the book, Margaret When women media professionals attain Gallagher (1987: 14) commented that “men’s atti- very senior editorial positions, their tudes, beliefs and even organizational procedures [showed a] surprising degree of consistency across achievement continues to make front page the studies.” Successive studies over the following news, such is its rare occurrence. two decades showed more or less the same kinds of patterns (Gallagher, 1995: Robinson, 2005), hen Jill Abramson became the first woman finding that despite the numbers entering the editor at the New York Times in 2011, she W industry, women advanced unevenly into deci- broke a run of 160 years of male editors and when sion-making roles compared to men, often doing Katherine Viner did the same thing at the Guard- better in larger organisations. ian in 2015, she punctured an even longer reign In 2011, the International Women’s Media of exclusively male editing history. Arguably one Foundation published the findings from its study of the world’s most respected media institutions, of women’s employment in news companies (con- the BBC has never appointed a woman Direc- ducted and managed by Carolyn Byerly) covering tor-General since it began life under John Reith 59 nations and 522 organisations, finding that in 1922 and its publication of top earner salaries men held 75% of both top management and board in summer 2017 revealed startling differences, in positions: women’s presence was strongest in rou- some cases as much as 300% between women and tine news gathering roles and weakest in technical men doing the same job. roles (e.g. camera work, creative direction). Media and journalism courses are dominat- In 2013, the European Institute for Gender ed by women students – a trend which has been Equality published the findings from a study of rising over the past two decades – who graduate all the (then) EU Member States plus Croatia and enter the industry in higher numbers than (28 countries) into gender and decision-making men. It seems odd, then, if we assume that women in 99 large-scale European media houses. That and men are equally competent when entering the study, conducted and managed by Karen Ross and industry, to find men advancing more quickly than Claudia Padovani, found that, of 3,376 senior posts women, earning a higher salary for work of equal they coded, 30% were held by women. When we value and routinely achieving very senior pos- looked a little closer, we found that 16% of CEOs itions, leaving their female colleagues languishing were women as were 21% of Chief Operating Of- in the less prestigious media jobs and rarely get- ficers, demonstrating that although a proportion ting beyond junior management posts. How can of women are in positions of authority, they are we account for this phenomenon and the problem much less likely to be in positions of power. of gender in/equality which, we argue, lies at its These studies are important not only because heart? of their findings but because of their comparative scope and geographical reach. National studies The evidence are often dismissed because of the specificity of While we have had decades of research looking the socio-cultural context but where cross-cultur-

16 Media Development 1/2018 al studies show similar trends and patterns, they European Parliament should enact legislation to command more credibility for the suggestion that accelerate the number of women in the board- “something” is happening which is structural rather rooms of public companies. The proposal aimed than situational and requires explaining. We sug- to achieve a 40% presence of the “under-repre- gest that there are any number of factors in play at sented” sex (for which we should read “women”) any one time in any one media organisation, but among non-executive directors of the top 5,000 the point is that while these factors are universal publicly-listed companies by 2020, and by 2018 they exert more or less influence in different ways for publicly-funded organisations. at different times. The proposal was more or less immedi- Factors such as routine gender-based dis- ately rejected by her fellow Commissioners on crimination, workplace harassment, poorly imple- the grounds that it contravened the Commission’s mented (sometimes non-existent) gender equality own regulations. The proposed legislation was policies and informal promotion processes, serve subsequently reframed as an “objective” and thus to produce a working environment that does not has no prospect of achieving the change required. support women or their career aspirations. While some studies have provided slightly more opti- Possible responses mistic findings, the general trend shows little sig- A number of the studies discussed above have nificant progress over time and even in studies made recommendations and suggested actions where improvements have been noted, they have which could be taken to address the long-standing tended to occur in individual countries or individ- problems, both structural and cultural, which im- ual media organisations (see Djerf-Pierre, 2007) pede women’s efforts to pursue their career aspir- or genres such as digital media (De-Miguel et. al., ations and fulfil their potential. It really does not 2017). The most recent scholarship shows make sense at any level, ethical or business-wise, that progress for women into decision-making to deliberately under-utilise the talents of 50% of positions remains painfully slow, for all the rea- the media workforce, and one significant problem sons we have sketched out (Löfgren Nilsson and in working for change has been a lack of know- Örnebring 2016; North 2016; Melki and Mallat, ledge by media managers, about the scale of the 2017). issue and potential solutions. So far, we have looked at academic studies but other stakeholders have also been involved in a) Actions for media organisations exploring the issues which women face in develop- * Undertake a Gender Audit of the workforce ing their media careers, most notably professional to identify women and men’s presence at all associations such as the International Federation levels of the organisation. Where there is an of Journalists, the European Women’s Lobby and under-representation of women or men at a various working groups of the European Com- particular level, review recruitment and pro- mission and Council of Europe (see, for example, motion policies to ensure they are fair and European Commission, 2010; EWL, 2010). These transparent. The audit should be undertaken studies produce the same conclusions as the rest. on a regular basis in order to identify patterns Importantly, the structural and cultural bar- and trends and to enable progress to be meas- riers which prevent women’s advancement into ured year-on-year. The findings from such managerial and editorial positions also operate to an audit should be analysed and interpreted prevent women’ occupation of boardroom seats. and a plan of action developed to monitor and In the EIGE (2013) study mentioned above, the act upon persistent gender imbalances. Such percentage of board members who were women audits could be required as part of continuing was 27% but women occupied few (22%) deputy funding arrangements for organisations which positions. In October 2012, European Commis- are wholly or partly publicly or Govern- sioner Viviane Reding formally proposed that the ment-funded.

17 Media Development 1/2018 * Organise a staff survey on equality and divers- ity to better understand workplace culture and Note act on the findings if they suggest that staff 1. Co-funded by the “Rights, Equality and Citizenship/Justice” programme of the European Union. believe that gender-based or any other forms of discrimination are taking place. References * Ensure that there are policies in place for re- Byerly, Carolyn M. ed. (2013) The Palgrave Handbook of Women porting discrimination and clear sanctions and Journalism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Djerf-Pierre Monika (2007) ‘The gender of journalism: the where behaviour of staff is found to be in structure and logic of the field in the twentieth century.’ breach of such policies. Nordicom Review, Jubilee Issue: 81-104. European Commission (2010) More women in senior positions – key * Take positive actions to redress gender im- to economic stability and growth. Luxembourg, EU. balances at senior levels by appointing the European Institute for Gender Equality (2013) Review of the woman when deciding between a female and implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the EU Member States: Women and the Media – Advancing gender male candidate of equal merit. equality in decision-making in media organisations. Luxembourg: * Members of shortlisting, recruitment and Office of the European Union. promotion panels should participate in equal- European Women’s Lobby (2010) From Beijing to Brussels: an Unfinished Story. http://www.womenlobby.org/spip. ity-awareness training to ensure that they are php?article124&lang=en not introducing unconscious bias into their Gallagher, Margaret (1995) An unfinished story: gender patterns in media employment. Paris: UNESCO. decision-making processes. International Women’s Media Foundation (2011) Global Report on the Status of Women in the News Media, Washington, DC: b) Actions for media unions and women-focused NGOs IWMF. http://www.ivmf.org Löfgren Nilsson, Monica & Örnebring, Henrik (2016) ‘Journalism * Develop partnerships at global, regional and Under Threat.’ Journalism Practice, 10(7): 880-890. national level, to recommend and assess the Melki, Jad. P. & Mallat, Sarah E. (2016) ‘Block her entry, keep her implementation of women-friendly working down and push her out.’ Journalism Studies, 17(1): 57–79. North, Louise (2016) ‘Damaging and daunting: female journalists’ practices developed by media organisations. experiences of sexual harassment in the newsroom.’ Feminist * Share best practice between each other and Media Studies, 16(3): 495-510. UNESCO (1987) Women in media decision-making: The invisible liaise with the academic research community barriers. Paris: UNESCO. to disseminate good practice. Karen Ross is Professor of Media and Public Communication at the c) Actions for the academic research community University of Liverpool. She has been working on and researching in the broad area of gender and media for the past 20 years, looking * Promote further and larger-scale research pro- at issues of both representation and production. Much of that jects to measure women’s inclusion in deci- work has concerned the relationship between women, politics and sion-making positions in both large and small media and she has published several books on this topic. organisations, including the digital media sec- tor, in order to identify patterns but also good practices where they exist. * Devise action and dissemination projects, including online repositories, which share research findings and good practices amongst the wider practitioner and stakeholder com- munity. n

18 Media Development 1/2018 principes d’intérêt public tels que le pluralisme des Les Régulateurs médias et la diversité des contenus. Parallèlement, ils consacrent la liberté de communication tout en des médias veillant à ce que les médias respectent et promeu- vent le pluralisme politique, la diversité culturelle, audiovisuels: les Droits de l’Homme, y compris l’égalité entre les sexes. Acteurs pour Bien évidemment, la réalité et l’étendue des prérogatives et pouvoirs d’un régulateur et ses l’égalité de genre champs d’intervention diffèrent d’un pays à un Amina Lemrini Elouahabi autre. Néanmoins, la majorité de ces instances sont dotées, outre l’octroi des autorisations et l’at- Cette contribution au dossier que prépare tribution des fréquences aux radios et télévisions, L’Alliance mondiale genre et médias de prérogatives décisionnelles en termes de règle- (GAMAG) en vue de prendre part mentation, suivi et sanction, le cas échéant, et ce parallèlement à leur force de proposition. activement à la 62ème session de la CSW en mars 2018 ne porte pas sur un thème Que peuvent faire les régulateurs en faveur en relation avec la « participation et accès de l’égalité de genre ? des femmes aux médias » mais plutôt De prime abord, et en vertu des spécificités du sur un acteur du paysage médiatique, secteur audiovisuel et du rôle des régulateurs, ces derniers sont investis d’une mission stratégique généralement peu connu alors que son par rapport aux opérateurs : veiller à la consécra- rôle est primordial dans la promotion de tion de leur liberté de communication en tant que l’égalité de genre. Il s’agit du Régulateur droit fondamental, dans le respect des droits fon- de l’audiovisuel, composante d’une damentaux des autres, dont le droit des femmes à nouvelle génération d’institutions de bonne ne pas être discriminées. C’est dans le cadre de ce paradigme de base gouvernance dans les Etats modernes, post- que les régulateurs peuvent et doivent :1 monopolistiques. * Contribuer à la consécration juridique de l’égalité dans les médias par le biais des avis ui sont les Régulateurs des médias audiovis- argumentés qu’ils rendent obligatoirement au uels ? Issues de processus de démocratisa- Q Gouvernement et au Parlement sur tout projet tion et de consécration des libertés fondamentales, de loi concernant le secteur ; dont la liberté d’opinion, d’expression, les instan- * Décliner les obligations juridiques des opéra- ces sont créés et régies par la loi pour accompagner teurs, en matière d’égalité de genre, dans les la libéralisation du secteur. Majoritairement in- cahiers des charges de ces derniers. Les cahiers dépendantes vis-à-vis du pouvoir exécutif et à des charges constituant la base contractuelle l’abri des lobbys économiques, ces instances au- entre le régulateur et l’opérateur. tonomes dans leur fonctionnement, agissent dans * Veiller au mainstreaming du genre dans la l’intérêt public via le prisme des médias, publics et production de normes dans différents do- privés. Elles sont redevables auprès des parlements maines autorisés par la loi, tel que les normes et des juridictions de contrôle financier, et leurs spécifiques au traitement médiatique au plur- décisions peuvent être cassées par les tribunaux alisme politique ; administratifs. * Contrôler l’état d’application des opérateurs De par leur raison d’être, les régulateurs veil- de leurs cahiers des charges, conformément lent à l’équilibre entre la libre concurrence et les à la loi, dont la vigilance par rapport aux

19 Media Development 1/2018 stéréotypes sexistes et l’effort de promotion Ces réseaux qui se réunissent selon une fré- de l’égalité. Les manquements observés lors quence annuelle ou biannuelle pour faire le bilan du monitoring des programmes peuvent être et établir de nouvelles feuilles de routes, constitu- sanctionnés. ent des espaces de réflexion commune, d’échanges * Produire des données genderisées relatives à la d’expériences, d’expertise et bonnes pratiques. représentation des hommes et des femmes et La question de l’égalité de genre est une des des relations entre eux à travers l’ensemble des thématiques principales et dont les échanges ont programmes et services audiovisuels du fait du donné lieu à l’adoption de Déclaration solennelle potentiel, quasi- exclusif, de réception, ar- d’engagement ainsi que la constitution de groupes chivage, visionnage et traitement (sur la base de travail pour en faire le suivi. Il s’agit notam- d’indicateurs) de l’ensemble de programmes. ment du : * L’établissement de partenariats ciblant la pro- * REFRAM : Déclaration du REFRAM sur motion de l’égalité : l’égalité entre hommes et femmes dans les - Au niveau national (outre les opérateurs): avec médias audiovisuels (Bruxelles, 2011) d’autres acteurs tels que les annonceurs, les pro- * RIRM : Déclaration du RIRM relative à la ducteurs, les instituts de formation de journalistes, lutte contre les stéréotypes fondés sur le genre institution académiques, société civile etc. dans les médias audiovisuels (Lisbonne, 2012) - Au niveau international : relations intra et * RIARC : Déclaration du RIARC relative à la inter-réseaux, ainsi qu’avec d’autres acteurs du promotion de l’égalité entre les hommes et les secteur. femmes dans et à travers les médias (Cotonou, 2016). Les trois déclarations mettent l’accent directe- Quelle est leur présence au niveau mondial ? La majorité des instances de régulation de l’audio- ment ou indirectement sur : visuel est apparue à partir des années 1980-1990. * Le déséquilibre de la représentativité quantita- Leur nombre global dépasse à ce jour la centaine.2 tive et qualitative en défaveur des femmes tant Elles ont organisées de façon plus ou moins au niveau des contenus médiatiques que de la formelle dans le cadre d’une dizaine de réseaux gouvernance interne des entreprises qui les mis en place sur des bases géographiques (Afrique, diffusent ; Europe, Méditerranée…), linguistiques (franco- * L’importance de la sensibilisation et de l’ac- phone, ibéro-américain, lusophone...) ou encore compagnement des opérateurs audiovisuels en culturelle (Monde islamique). vue d’une implication privilégiant la co-régu-

Appellation Présidence Membres actuelle (pays) RIRM Réseau des Instances de Régulation CNMC-Espagne Méditerranéennes 26 REFRAM Réseau Francophone des Régulateurs des Médias HACA-Côte 29 d’Ivoire RIARC Réseau des Instances Africaines de Régulation de la NMC-Ghana Communication 35 IBRAF Forum des Autorités de Régulation de l’Audiovisuel KPI-Indonésie des Etats-membres de l’OCI 32 PRAI Plataforma de Reguladores del sector Audiovisual de CNTV-Chili Iberoamérica 12 PER Plateforme des Entités de Régulation des pays et CNCS-Guinée territoires de langue portugaise 11 Bissau EPRA European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (CdE) 52 BAI-Irlande ERGA Régulateurs Européens des services de médias Commissariaat audiovisuels (UE) 27 voor de Media -Pays Bas

20 Media Development 1/2018 lation afin de lutter efficacement et durable- Recommandation d’ordre général : ment contre les stéréotypes sexistes et susciter * Reconnaitre de façon explicite les Régulateurs de bonnes pratiques en la matière ; comme partie prenante pouvant avoir une * L’importance du partage d’expertises et d’ex- valeur ajoutée en faveur de l’égalité de genre périences entre les instances de régulation et dans et à travers les médias (un paragraphe autres parties prenantes. qu’on peut proposer). Ainsi la Déclaration du REFRAM insiste sur le caractère inclusif de cet enjeu sociétal, en incit- Recommandations pour les Etats pour ren- ant à une étroite collaboration entre régulateurs et forcer le rôle des régulateurs : représentants de la société civile. Elle encourage * Intégrer de façon explicite et transversale le également, dans ce sens, à la formation des profes- principe de « l’égalité hommes-femmes » dans sionnels et des non-professionnels des médias sur les textes de lois qui régissent les instances de la question de l’égalité hommes/femmes. régulation et tout autre texte en relation avec La Déclaration du RIRM se veut plus tech- le secteur ; nique et concentrée sur la collaboration intra- * Intégrer le principe de parité aux conditions réseau. Aussi, elle appuie la réalisation commune d’élection/désignation des organes délibérants de recherches et d’études entre membres du réseau, des instances de régulation ; principalement via l’affinement concerté d’indica- * Doter les instances de régulation d’une teurs et d’outils d’évaluation sensibles au genre et prérogative explicite de lutte contre les intégrés aux différents dispositifs de monitoring stéréotypes sexistes et de promotion de mis en place par les régulateurs. la parité et de l’égalité dans et à travers les Enfin, la Déclaration du RIARC, tout en s’in- médias audiovisuels ; quiétant explicitement des impacts sur la société * Charger les régulateurs de l’élaboration de africaine des messages, images ou programmes rapports annuels destinés aux Parlements sur délibérément sexistes et fondés sur des stéréotypes l’état de l’égalité dans et à travers les médias de genre, appelle le régulateur à appuyer les opéra- dans un objectif d’évaluation et d’analyse des teurs audiovisuels dans leur rôle de socialisation, avancées, contraintes et recommandations. n particulièrement vital dans cette région du monde. Notes Motivés par un objectif commun explicité 1. Les exemples cités sont basés sur l’expérience de la HACA du dans les intitulés des trois déclarations, les régula- Maroc. teurs membres des trois réseaux s’engagent, ainsi, 2. Certaines instances appartiennent à plus d’un Réseau. à défendre un principe structurant de la culture Amina Lemrini Elouahabi estPrésidente de la Haute Autorité de la des Droits de l’Homme, à savoir, la non-discrimin- Communication Audiovisuel (HACA, MAROC), Co-Présidente (Avec Martine Condé, Présidente de la Haute Autorité de la ation et l’égalité entre les hommes et les femmes Communication de la Guinée ) du Groupe de travail « genre et medias » du Réseau des Instances Africaines de Régulation de la Communication (RIARC), Ancienne Co-Présidente (Avec Que devrait retenir la CSW dans ses résolu- Emelina Fernandez Soriano, Présidente du Conseil Audiovisuel d’Andalousie, Espagne ) du Groupe de travail « genre et médias » tions et recommandations à propos de l’ap- du Réseau des Instances de Régulation Méditerranéennes (RIRM port des régulateurs a l’objectif « égalité » ? -2013-2015). L’objectif de promotion de l’égalité de genre dans et à travers les médias audiovisuels est générale- ment partagé par les régulateurs. Afin que ces der- niers puissent jouer davantage un rôle significatif, trois types de recommandations peuvent être pris en considération dans le plaidoyer de GAMAG auprès de la CSW :

21 Media Development 1/2018 WACC’s Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) is a research and advocacy project implemented col- laboratively with women’s rights organizations, grass- roots groups, media associations, faith-based organ- izations, university students and researchers around the world. Volunteers take part in a one-day survey of news media. The photos here show participants in GMMP 2015: above left Albania; above right Guyana; left Mongolia; below right Tunisia; below left Viet- nam. The importance of media monitoring as a tool for change was officially recognized by the United Na- tions for the first time in Section J of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action. The results of monitoring pro- vide a picture of media content that allows discussion about representation in media based on “hard” evi- dence.

For GMMP 2015, participation increased from 71 countries in 1995 to 114 countries in 2015, evidence of a growing in- terest, willingness to engage on issues of gender in the media, and commitment to propel change towards media that affirms women’s rights and gender equality objectives. GMMP 2015 revealed persistent and emerging gaps in gender portrayal and representation in not only traditional (print and broadcast) media, but in new electronic media forms.

22 Media Development 1/2018 in infrastructure (i.e., availability) and with user Technology issues, such as the dominance of English in web- based information (Annan, 2005). Therefore, this and women’s paper seeks to broaden attention on women’s re- lationship to the structures of the industries that empowerment still thwart them from exercising their right to Carolyn M. Byerly communicate. Structural relations take formation in the macro-level of the media landscape and in- If the monitoring of media content over the clude finance policy, and governance. last 40 years has shown anything, it is that Women’s right to communicate women’s ability to be seen and heard have The right to communicate was recognized as a not progressed at the same rate as their human right by Article 19 of the Universal Dec- real-life roles. laration of Human Rights in 1948. Adopted by the United Nations’ General Assembly, Article 19 ince the 1970s, women have benefited from states: S women’s liberation movements and taken ever greater leads in business, education, politics, Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and public life. Yet, they are still unable to speak in “and expression; this right includes freedom their own self-interest in the news media of most to hold opinions without interference and to nations – either as expert sources, or to articu- seek, receive and impart information and ideas late pro-feminist opinions (Who Makes the News, through any media and regardless of frontiers. 2015). Women are similarly under-represented (Article 19) ” in Hollywood films, which are viewed all over the world (Hunt et al., 2017). Regional studies show Yet current research shows women’s difficulty that women’s voices and images are similarly mar- in exercising that right within the industries. In ginalized in traditional as well as new digital media media professions, they remain prevented from formats of both developed and developing nations entering roles with any level of decision-making (Byerly, forthcoming). control both within news and entertainment sec- This paper responds to Goal Number 5 of tors (Ross & Padovani, 2017; Byerly, 2011; Hunt the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2015- et al., 2017, Lauzen, 2017). 2030. That goal is to Achieve Gender Equality As the table on the following page illus- and Empower all Women and Girls, and pro- trates, only a few women are allowed to accede posed target “5.b” specifically concerns the use of to the prestigious role of policy-making exercised information communication technologies (ICTs) by boards of directors in large digital media con- to promote women’s empowerment. The con- glomerates (Byerly, forthcoming). These compan- vergence of traditional print, broadcast and cable ies provide both the infrastructure and content of with digital (computer) formats require that we the vast majority of all communication the world understand ICTs to include the wide array of over. They also control an enormous amount of media used today for personal, interpersonal, and wealth, wealth that their mostly male governors mass communication in today’s world. use to elect pro-corporate legislators and to shape Much of the focus in both research and hu- media policy in their favour. man rights groups has been on women’s access to ICTs, with particular concern with the digit- Situating women in media conglomeration al divide between men and women. A moder- Media conglomeration characterizes the great ate share of the concern has also been with gaps majority of the world’s communication systems today where women are marginalized at every

23 Media Development 1/2018 Table: Ownership, Worth and Gender Representation on Boards of Digital Media Companies participants in their so- Digital Media What is owned (example of Also owns stake Market No. of women cieties if they cannot tell Company brands) in value (in on board their own stories, see the billions) Alphabet Google YouTube, Android, Chrome, $553 1 (of 13), 8% wide array of images and (USA) Nexus, Pixel, Blogger, Zagat, roles they occupy, and ob- Google Search (& Gmail, tain the information they Hangouts & other apps), Chrome, Nest, Verily, Waze need to advance?Women Amazon.com, Amazon Prime (& Cloud Drive, $388 3 (of 10), 30% have paid less attention Inc. (USA) Web Services, Marketplace, to the national, regional Echo, Fire TV), Kindle, Audible, Twitch.tv, Washington Post and international policy Facebook, Inc. Facebook, WhatsApp, $371 2 (of 8), 25% governing communica- (USA) Instagram, Oculus, Facebook tion systems than they Messenger, Internet.org have more practical re- AT&T, Inc. AT&T, DirecTV, Cricket $227 4 (of 13), 31% (USA) Wireless, U-verse, YP.com (aka alities such as informa- Yellowpages.com), Sky Brasil tion available (or not in Verizon Verizon Wireless, Fios, AOL, Complex Media, $198 4 (of 12), 33% those systems) and access Communications, Huffington Post, Engadget, Awesomeness Inc. (USA) TechCrunch, Terremark TV, Seriously to jobs. There is little re- TV, RatedRed. search to date on whether com and to what extent gender Walt Disney Co. ABC News, ESPN, Disney Vice Media, A&E, $151 4 (of 12), 33% (USA) Channel, Walt Disney Studios, Lifetime, Hulu equality figures in nation- Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, al-level communication Disneyland and other parks and policy. Male scholars have resorts Comcast Corp/ Xfinity, NBC Network, MSNBC, BuzzFeed, Hulu, $146 2 (0f 12), 17% avoided the subject for the NBC Universal CNBC, Telemundo, Bravo, USA Eater, Recode, most part, and both fem- (USA) Network, Universal Pictures, Flipboard, Slack inist scholars and activists Universal Studios and other parks and resorts have given it only min- Time Warner, CNN, HBO, Warner Brothers The CW, Hulu $68 2 (of 9), 22% or attention (Gallagher, Inc. (USA) Entertainment (also Records, 2014). Motion Pictures), TBS, TNT, NCAA.org, TMX.com, DC And yet, as Gal- Comics lagher (2011) insists, any BCE (Canada) Cable TV stations, specialty $64 4 of 13, (31%) discussion of freedom channels (Bravo, Canal D, Book TV, etc.), Bell Broadcast Radio of expression must ask, group, wireless technologies. “Whose freedom, defined Grupo Televisa Broadcast TV stations, radio $15 0 of 19 (0%) by whom?” (p. 457). It (Mexico) stations, Videocine film, Editorial Televisa publishing, should not be defined, as Televisa Digital (Internet), it typically has, as men’s Televisa Musica, football teams, right to squander the Aztec stadium Source: Byerly, C. M. (forthcoming), Gender, Media, Oligopoly: Connecting Research and Action. profits of communication In N. Benequista & S. Abbott (Eds.), International Media Development: Historical Perspectives and New companies to secure their Frontiers. New York: Peter Lang Publishing. own economic and pol- itical power, or continue level, as has been shown. The conclusion to draw to omit and stereotype women in the content of is that women are presently peripheral to both their news and programming. Despite the passage the control of and the benefits from the world’s of international documents like the Beijing Plat- communication technology companies and what form for Action in 1995, with its Section J calling they provide. The salient question to pose with for gender equality in the media, or the Conven- this realization is how will women become full tion for the Elimination of Discrimination Against

24 Media Development 1/2018 Women (CEDAW), there has been little success in securing a place for gender and media concerns on Investing in young the international agenda (Gallagher, 2011, p. 459). The next frontier for feminist research women: Sustaining and activism, therefore, is at national and inter- national policy levels, something that gatherings women-led of women, such as the annual U.N. Commission on the Status of Women meetings in New York community media City affords the opportunity to develop. n Sian Rolls

References Annan, K. (2005, September). Gender equality and empowerment The legacy of women’s media networks of women through ICT. Women 2000 and beyond. http:// that negotiated for the broadening of www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/w2000-09.05-ict-e. pdf the Women and the Media section of the Article 19. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. International Beijing Platform for Action, to reflect the Council on Human Rights Policy (website). http://www. ichrp.org/en/article_19_udhr opportunity for women to be recognized as Byerly, C. M. (forthcoming), Gender, Media, Oligopoly: Connecting Research and Action. In N. Benequista & S. producers of their own media form, was Abbott (Eds.), International Media Development: Historical the inclusion of the Strategic Objective Perspectives and New Frontiers. New York: Peter Lang Publishing. in Section J which recognizes the need Byerly, C. M. Global Report on the Status of Women in News Media. Washington, DC: International Women’s Media Foundation, to increase the participation and access 2011. of women to expression and decision- Byerly, C. M. and Valentin, A. Women’s Access to Media: Legal Dimensions of Ownership and Employment in the United making in and through the media and new States. In R. A. Lind (Ed.), Race and Gender in Electronic Media. New York and London: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. technologies of communication. Gallagher, M. (2014). Media and the representation of render. In C. Carter, L. Steiner and L. McLaughlin (Eds.), The Routledge hile there have been advances in certain companion to media and gender (pp. 21-31). London and New areas of media across the Pacific region large York: Routledge Taylor and Francis. W Gallagher, M. (2011). Media and communication policy: gaps continue to exist in both traditional and digit- Struggling for space. In R. Mansell & M. Raboy (Eds.), The al media outlets (Macharia, 2015). Pacific women handbook of global media and communication policy. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell. are challenging the status quo as the producers of Hunt, D., A.; Tran, M.; Sargent, A.; and Díaz, V. 2017 Hollywood our own print and electronic media. Women also diversity report: Setting the record straight. Los Angeles, CA: Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at operate community radio stations, are media cor- UCLA. respondents, producers of video documentaries, Lauzen, M. The celluloid ceiling: Behind-the-scenes employment information providers, communicators and media of women on the top 100, 250, and 500 films of 2016. http:// womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/ activists. This includes femLINKpacific’s region- al media network that started with the “suitcase” Carolyn M. Byerly, Ph.D. is Professor and Chair, Department of radio station in 2004. Communication, Culture & Media Studies, Howard University, Washington, DC and Interim Chair, Research and Policy Committee, Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMAG). Whether it is the women who have taken to the “airwaves or the development partners who have journeyed with femLINKpacific, they have rec- ognized and supported the role of community radio to enable women and young women in all their diversities claim their communication rights in our region and that without a media platform of their own women’s rights, peace and

25 Media Development 1/2018 human security will remain invisible our stories and creating the narratives. It’s not (femLINK, 2016 (1)) ” as simple as just trying to get a woman to talk to a camera – it’s about investing effort, time and Primarily, much of the work of the “suitcase” passion to enable someone who’s never been radio has been bridging the inter-generational asked her opinion to tell her story. – Sian Rolls gap that exists – with young women learning the (Evans, 2017) ” technology and older women finding their voice, often after years of being told to be silent. Estab- “Through listening to women, communi- lishing the community radio platform was “a bold cating their stories, reading and researching policy move because it challenged the status quo of exist- documents and policy briefs of women, produ- ing decision-making structures in Fiji by enabling cing and documenting stories with women, for women to speak openly on common matters and, women, peace and security to enhance conflict crucially, it also involved young women. The suit- prevention and peacebuilding (I am learning from case radio has also been used as a training tool to them as women leaders). Another (thing I enjoy) empower women to speak to each other and with is the radio. Women are able to speak wherever their communities” (Bhagwan Rolls and Narayan, they are, from the comfort of their homes, on the 2008). The expansion of the suitcase radio and all mat or the community hall and with the availabil- of its growth since 2008 has only been possible ity of ICT their voices are reaching out wide and through years of work and dedication by teams of far across the globe.” – Lucille Chute (Waqa, 2017) young women producer-broadcasters. Ultimately, the Generation Next project, The Generation Next Project was fem- has enabled femLINKpacific to demonstrate LINKpacific’s flagship project for young women an approach to assessing sustainability gaps in throughout the Pacific region, funded by the Inter- the community media sector and/or within the national Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) media landscape as a whole: it requires a condu- which supported young women to become com- cive media regulatory environment it requires munity radio producers and broadcasters. investment in appropriate and accessible tech- Initiated in Fiji in 2005, the project has since nology, it requires investment in a programme enabled a cadre of more than 100 young women production and broadcast infrastructure and it to take to the airwaves and use information and requires investment in young people, in par- communication to bridge the divide between ticular young women of all diversities. urban and rural women and their communities What started in 2004 as a mobile “suitcase” and national and local governance structures community radio with young women in-school (femLINKpacific, 2012). volunteers from Saint Joseph Secondary School, The Generation Next project also has served conducting monthly “weekend” broadcasts with as an entry point for young women into femLINK- a 100W transmitter, is now truly a women- pacific, as several of them have become members led community radio network. femLINK now of femLINKpacific’s core team at the community manages the Pacific’s first women-led com- media centres in Suva and Labasa. munity radio network, contributing more than 800 hours of content on gender equality, peace Outside of femLINKpacific, there aren’t as many and human security to the public airwaves. “young women engaged in the technical aspect FemTALK 89FM Suva station runs 24 of media production. I love learning about dif- hours a day, with hosted shows happening dur- ferent ways to use technology and after my ing the day between 7am and 7pm most days time outside the organisation, I know just how – Morning Waves starts of the live shows, fea- critical it is to continue to resource women’s turing Who Makes The News, with Rainbow Connections (open to and hosted by members of media. We need to be setting the agenda, telling the LGBTIQ community) during the mid-mor-

26 Media Development 1/2018 ning from Monday to Wednesday. Thursday ist media initiatives which are addressing mid-morning features the Look at my Abilities the persistent societal gender inequalities show – for, by and about women with disabil- through the use of qualitative and quanti- ities. Live shows during the weekend are more tative research including media monitor- general but are still run by young women in all ing linked to the Global Media Monitoring their diversities. Project (GMMP) As the only rural-based radio station, * Donors and development partners must FemTALK 89FM Labasa, now broadcasts re-define sustainability of women’s media every weekday from 9am to 5pm from the La- networks in particular community media basa CMC in Vanua Levu with 4 young women networks and feminist media initiatives by supporting the broadcast operations. A mobile ensuring that at least 30% of all media cap- “suitcase” radio remains available to travel to acity development funds are ear-marked for rural women including to support disaster pre- young women’s development and content paredness response. creation. n femLINKpacific will continue to demon- strate its commitment to progress and define the References Bhagwan Rolls, S. and Narayan, D. 2008. “Empowering implementation of Section J of the Beijing Plat- Communities, Informing Policy: The Potential of Community form for Action including to support women Radio”. URL: http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/images/PDF/ to hold governments to account by sustaining Policy/FemLINKPACIFIC%20CR%20Handbook%201.pdf Evans, A. 2017. “Here Are The Women (2017): Sian Rolls”. URL: a regional women-led media network that mo- http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/index.php/en/actions/ bilizes resources for women of all diversities, here-are-the-women/589-here-are-the-women-2017-sian- rolls including young women, women with disabil- femLINKpacific (1) 2016. “Community Radio Soundbytes”. ities and LGBT allies to produce and broadcast URL: http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/images/PDF/Policy/ radio programmes and “proving to be a viable CRSoundbytes_12016.pdf femLINKpacific (1) 2017. “Section J in Action”. URL: tool that provides young women with the skills http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/images/PDF/Policy/ and confidence to move into leadership roles SectionJInAction_PacificWomenandtheMedia_Sept2017.pdf and address development barriers in their com- femLINKpacific (2) 2016. “Young Women key to Gender Inclusive Conflict Prevention and Human Security” URL: munities” (femLINK, 2016 (2)). http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/images/PDF/Policy/ It is doing this now with a new wave of femLINKpacific_GPPAC_PolicyBrief_22016.pdf femLINKpacific 2012. “A Young Women’s Guide to Community young women defining the way in which com- Radio”. URL: http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/images/ munity radio and media will amplify gender PDF/Policy/FemLINKPACIFIC%20Young%20Womens%20 equality, peace and human security. Guide%20to%20Community%20Radio_UNESCO.pdf Macharia, S. 2015. “Global Media Monitoring Project 2015”, November. URL: http://cdn.agilitycms.com/who-makes-the- Recommendations news/Imported/reports_2015/global/gmmp_global_report_ * Governments must ensure that broadcast en.pdf and http://cdn.agilitycms.com/who-makes-the-news/ Imported/reports_2015/regional/Pacific_Islands.pdf policy and regulations support women’s media Waqa, S. 2017. “Here Are The Women (2017): Lucille Chute”. networks, in particular community media/ URL: http://www.femlinkpacific.org.fj/index.php/en/ actions/here-are-the-women/525-here-are-the-women- radio and feminist networks who have a dem- 2017-lucille-chute onstrated role to enable women of all divers- ities, including young women, to use access- Sian Rolls is Co-Programme Director, femLINKpacific. Email: [email protected] ible and appropriate Media and ICTs bridge the gap in media content in particular via the public airwaves. * Donors and development partners must ear- mark specific funding towards the resourcing of women’s media networks in particular community media networks and femin-

27 Media Development 1/2018 istan who was gang-raped on the orders of a coun- Imagine media that cil of tribal elders from her village of Meerwala. Mai herself was not charged with any wrongdoing, promote gender but a rumour had spread through the village that her 14-year-old brother had been seen in public justice with a girl from a rival tribe. When Mai heard that Joanne Sandler the rival clan was going to put her brother on trial she rushed before the self-appointed councillors The following article is a shortened version to plead for mercy on his behalf. The elders heard of a speech given at the WACC Congress her plea. They spared Mai’s brother and ordered that she should be raped, explaining that the rape on “Communication is Peace: Building would shame her family and thus restore the of- viable communities” (South Africa, 6-10 fended tribe’s honour. Four volunteers carried out October 2008). At that time, Joanne Sandler the sentence in the presence of a cheering mob. was Deputy Executive Director-Program of Mai’s attackers had assumed she would be the United Nations Development Fund for too ashamed to reveal what had happened, but with the assistance of her friends and the imam, Women (UNIFEM). While the examples of she got word out to the local and international how women are using “the radical potential media. The media attention shamed the civil au- of media to contribute to progress towards thorities into action. The tribal elders and the rap- gender justice” may appear dated, they ists were brought to trial and sentenced to life in remain relevant and inspiring in today’s prison. Mai, who has since received international honours, used her compensation money to build changed context. the first of two schools in her village and now cam- paigns for women’s rights around the world. The he title of my presentation is “Imagine media resolution of her case and national and the inter- that promote gender justice”. We have to im- T national attention it received in the media con- agine it because it needs to proliferate at all levels: tributed to the passage in 2006 of amendments to in the mainstream media, in the blogosphere, in a 1976 rape law in Pakistan. These included elim- alternative media. It needs to exist because gender inating the death penalty for extramarital sex and justice is critical in its own right, central to the easing a clause on making rape victims produce achievement of justice in general and interdepend- four witnesses to prove the case. ent with the achievement of social and economic Without media attention, Mai could have justice. died, either by her own hand or that of others. It is important, also, because the path to Instead, she was named Glamour Magazine’s gender equality and women’s empowerment – a Woman of the Year in 2005. That is the power of project that gained steam with the first world the media: to save lives and to change them. conference on women in 1975 and continues on But the media are also perpetrators of a fairly bumpy road until today – is uneven. One gender injustice. The concept of gender justice is could reasonably argue – and this is the irony of complex, but we certainly know gender injustice work on gender equality – that there is much to when we see it. Around the world, the distortion celebrate with data showing good progress in by media of women’s voice and women’s lives is many areas. increasingly being recognized, but the response The media have huge and largely untapped has been inadequate. This is an issue of account- power to promote and protect gender justice. We ability. UNIFEM just issued its biannual publica- know because we’ve seen it. Many of you have tion, Progress of the World’s Women, which focuses probably heard the story of Mukhtar Mai in Pak- on gender and accountability and asks the ques-

28 Media Development 1/2018 tion: Who Answers to Women. We identify two di- have referred to as “the missing MDG” or, at least, mensions of accountability from a gender justice “the missing MDG target”. perspective: In 2006, in one of her earliest acts as Afri- Answerability – that is, the ability of women ca’s first democratically elected female head of and men to call for answers for the policies, pro- state, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ushered in grammes and resources that power-holders make the country’s historic anti-rape legislation to send available to promote and protect women’s rights. a powerful message that crimes of sexual violence Corrective action – that is, power-holders, once committed during and after the war would not be confronted with the need for answers, must take tolerated. Rape remains a pandemic in Liberia, but corrective action to ensure redress. the President along with many of her male and fe- In relation to gender justice and the media, male ministers are unswerving in their commit- the media’s answerability and willingness to take ment to address it. corrective action depend to a large extent on the That sexual violence in conflict is now re- push that women’s rights defenders provide, the ceiving more attention is due to those who have extent to which men and women together use worked for years to put it on the agenda and who their power of choice to show a preference for deserve special mention. Groups like Isis WICCE media that promotes gender justice, and the gen- in Uganda and many others have helped us to eration of high quality content for social justice focus on the numbers, which themselves should media produced by women’s human rights de- galvanize us to action. 20,000 – 50,000 women fenders. were raped during the war in Bosnia and Herzego- vina in the early 1990s. 50,000 – 64,000 internally Media’s radical potential displaced women in Sierra Leone were sexually My presentation today will focus how women are attacked by combatants. An average of 40 women using the radical potential of the media to contrib- are raped every day in South Kivu, DRC. Yet, the ute to progress towards gender justice. One of the phrase “no more and never again” does not seem key assets that women are bringing – along with to have resonance when it comes to sexual vio- other social justice groups – is a purposeful use lence. of the media to achieve broader social justice and This continues to happen despite the com- gender justice aims, to challenge discriminatory mitment of the highest Security institution in the gender norms, and make visible solutions that world – the UN Security Council – through Secur- lead to change. It will look at two changes in par- ity Council resolution 1325 on women peace and ticular: using information and media to stimulate security. It continues to happen, in part, because greater accountability for sexual violence in con- of inadequate accountability on the part of those flict situations via the UN Security Council; and who can make a difference. using media and media campaigns to encourage It is revealing to compare accountability men to take responsibility and action for ending mechanisms for two Security Council resolutions violence against women. passed in 2000: resolution 1612 on children and My first example deals with sexual violence armed conflict, with resolution 1325 on women, in conflict. Over the past years, many manifesta- peace and security. tions of violence against women are receiving * The Children’s resolution includes monitor- more attention, including in the media. Too often, ing and reporting on violations; the women’s this is sensationalized, showing women as victims resolution only monitors UN agency actions rather than as agents of change which – in the face * The Children’s resolution involves the Secre- of horrifying odds – they often are. And, while tary-General in answerability, with reports on there may be more coverage, there is not neces- Member States violations; the women’s reso- sarily more action or adequate funds to meaning- lution has no answerability mechanism; fully address this hidden pandemic which many

29 Media Development 1/2018 * The Children’s resolution reviews progress sexual violence. Whereas most discussions about through a working group of the Security peacekeepers and sexual violence have focused on Council chaired by a Permanent Member and them as perpetrators, we took another approach. bi-monthly meetings; the women’s resolution We produced an inventory of what peacekeepers has an annual and voluntary ‘commemoration’ are doing actually to protect women, even in an of the resolution; ad hoc fashion. As we discovered, too often peace- * On the ground, the Children’s resolution has keepers do not have an explicit mandate to protect country-level task forces that monitor and women and thus their ability to do so is weakened. press for compliance; UN organizations in- The inventory looked, first, at where women volvement in compliance with the women’s were most vulnerable. Research as far back as 1999 resolution is ad hoc, depending on available in refugee camps in Kenya showed that 90% of re- expertise. ported rapes of women took place when women I show these differences to make the point and girls travel into the desert, bush or forest for that, when it comes to the rights of women and food, fuel or water. These rapes have become so girls, there are often distinct differences in what commonplace that they are referred to as “fire- institutions see as their responsibility. Recog- wood” rapes. The inventory showed that, rec- nizing these gaps, there has been – over the past ognizing this, some of the peacekeepers in DRC, several years – a growing interest in the Security for instance, began accompanying women, using Council agreeing to a follow up resolution to 1325 their vehicle headlights to shine light on the paths, with more accountability built in. This led to Sec- honk their horns, and take other measures to cre- urity Council resolution 1820 on preventing sex- ate safe passage. But, in the absence of orders and ual violence in conflict in June of 2008. resources, these actions were generally reactive, Information and media played a key role in short-term and ad hoc. moving Security Council members to agreement The production of an inventory of what on Resolution 1820. Articles in leading news- peacekeepers were doing in an ad hoc way – and papers about the atrocities that women faced were then bringing this to the attention of high-level instrumental. Women’s groups around the world decision makers and military commanders at a were instrumental. Leading governments lobbied conference in London with the Governments of for it. UNIFEM’s contribution to this broad-based the UK and Canada in May 2008 – was an im- strategy was to uncover and bring to the attention portant input to getting the Security Council to of Security Council members the practical ap- develop stronger accountability mechanisms for proaches to dealing with this issue, believing that addressing sexual violence in conflict. one of the obstacles was that even where there is political will, there is also a lack of knowledge about concrete steps to be taken. We worked with UN Action against Sexual Violence – a coali- tion of 12 UN organizations and departments – to focus on the potential role that military peace- keepers could play in increasing women’s security and preventing

Joanne Sandler speaking at the WACC Congress 2008 in Cape Town, South Afri- ca. (Photo: Erick Coll.)

30 Media Development 1/2018 Another component that contributed to the Here, again, we see purposeful media that eventual outcome was the independent documen- proposes actions that viewers can take. India tary called The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo, passed an important law on domestic violence law which won the 2008 Sundance Special Jury Prize (2005), but like so many laws, implementation in the Documentary Category. Lisa Jackson, a is not proceeding adequately. That’s why Break- freelance independent filmmaker, produced this through is also partnering with the Indian gov- searing look at Congolese women who survived ernment, who are taking a leadership role in this gang rape and mutilation only to find themselves campaign and thereby also increasing state ac- bearing the shame of their family’s rejection. It was countability for taking action to address domestic produced in association with HBO, and broadcast violence. to HBO’s 35 million subscribers. The campaign was designed pro bono by While Lisa Jackson did not have a Security one of India’s leading advertising agency and its Council resolution in mind when she produced brand ambassador was movie star Boman Irani. It the film, strategic use of the documentary played is being distributed across major Indian TV and an important role. For example, the United States radio channels and through powerful collabora- Ambassador to the United Nations saw the film tions with media partners like The Viewspaper. It and said publicly that it inspired him to introduce includes an interactive website for the audience to resolution 1820 in the UN Security Council. The post comments and questions. film is an excellent example of how media – in The Group Creative head of Olgivy and conjunction with other focused advocacy strat- Mather – the pro bono advertising agency – high- egies – has the potential to lead to concrete polit- lighted the campaign’s central focus: “Domestic ical action. Violence is a subject where the man is always seen This role of media in accelerating progress as the culprit. We wanted men to be our partners toward greater accountability for gender justice – supporting the cause…we wanted a strong call to in this instance, in relation to Sexual Violence – is action. A call to action that makes people say … a good example of purposeful media. The result is I can do (something). Ring the Bell fit that brief that the Security Council now recognizes sexual perfectly.” violence as an issue which then justifies a security Some of the elements that make this a strong response. Once UN peacekeepers have a mandate campaign include: a) the partnerships – which and the resources to protect women collecting created a top notch product with high production fuel, firewood and water, thousands, if not tens of values and wide distribution; b) a positive mes- thousands of lives can be saved and their dignity sage about taking action in the community, that preserved. And the notion of national, inter- appeals to men and provides information on ser- national and human security has been broadened vices rather than portraying women as victims. significantly. My final example is the Internet-based “Say No” Campaign launched by UNIFEM’s Goodwill Applauding purposeful media Ambassador, Nicole Kidman, in November 2007 My next example is by Breakthrough, an inter- and its contribution to the global campaign on national human rights organization. In 2008, ending violence against women launched by the Breakthrough launched its third multimedia cam- UN Secretary-General in February 2008. “Say paign – “Bell Bajao” (which in Hindi means “ring No” asks citizens and leaders to spend less than the bell”) – a call to both men and women in India a minute clicking their mouses to express their to intervene to stop domestic violence. UNIFEM commitment to end violence against women. and the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against We’ve also supplemented the internet campaign Women that UNIFEM manages on behalf of the with high level signing ceremonies and postcards. UN system are both supporters of Breakthrough’s It prompts citizen action and links power-holders work. to the issue.

31 Media Development 1/2018 At the launch of his campaign in February marketplace. 2008, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon commit- 3) We need to link media with action and ted the UN to challenge men to stand up with him solutions. We need to go beyond broad-based to end violence. He said, “Violence against women awareness raising and offer people opportunities and girls makes its hideous imprint on every con- to make a difference. The new media give us that tinent, country and culture. It is time to focus on opportunity: purposeful media that use the full the concrete actions that all of us can and must power of the media to inform, connect, change take to prevent and eliminate this scourge... It is minds and act to achieve gender and social justice. time to break through the walls of silence, and 4) Partnerships, partnerships, partnerships. make legal norms a reality in women’s lives.” We cannot do this alone. Women cannot do this alone. Faith-based groups cannot do this alone. Institutional transformation in the media Men cannot do this alone. Even the state cannot These few examples do not represent fundamental do this alone. If communication is peace, then institutional transformation in the media, which partnerships are the pathway to peace. is what we need if we are to have a media that act- ively promotes gender justice. And there are four Using the full power of the media areas of work ahead of us that I think are crucial I want to close with two quotes: First, you can’t and receiving too little attention. be what you can’t see (Marion Wright Edelman). If 1) The first goes back to accountability: we are not using the media to challenge gender Commercially owned media understand their ac- discrimination and gender norms that limit both countability in the context of shareholders and men and women from exercising their rights and profit; state-owned and public media have not securing justice, then we are missing the oppor- been much better on gender justice. So, how do tunity to use the full power of the media, especial- we strengthen their accountability? ly in the 21st century when its reach has expanded Progress of the World’s Women makes the exponentially. point that there are two pathways that women We have to use the media to question the are using to demand greater accountability from assumption that sexual violence is an inevitable power-holders: voice and choice. That is using consequence of war. We have to use the media to the power of organizing and monitoring and question why are those who made war the ones their power as consumers or voters. We need to who are invited to negotiate the peace, while those strengthen media monitoring to build media lit- who have an interest in peace are prevented from eracy so that both men and women are demanding having a voice. We can’t imagine gender justice media that promote – rather than erode – gender without media and communications to help us see justice and so that they have the capacity to call it. for corrective action when the opposite is taking And, finally, a Native American adage: She place. or he who tells the story rules the world. It is import- 2) We need to produce gender and social ant and uplifting to see or hear media that show us justice content with high production values. Too dialogue across lines of conflict to advance gender often, the media that social justice groups pro- justice. But it is not enough just to have a growing duce cannot compete with the production qual- a number of good examples of social justice media. ity that mainstream media offer. That was Break- We have to work on transforming the media and through’s goal: use popular culture, partnerships democratizing ownership and leadership. Only with groups like MTV and Olgivy and Mather, to then will stories that promote and protect gender produce content that looked as good as any other. justice regularly make it on to the nightly news. There needs to be a huge increase in skills, re- Let’s work together to move from imagin- sources and partnerships so that the gender jus- ing media that promote gender justice to actually tice media gets produced and can compete in the seeing it. n

32 Media Development 1/2018 public debate on this issue. Violence against The Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), called in 1995 explicitly on governments to “take women in media effective measures, including appropriate legis- lation against pornography and the project of vio- and digital content lence against women and children in the media” . Aimée Vega Montiel (UN, 1995, p.102) The BPfA recommended media industries to establish guidelines to address violent, 6 Defined by the Convention on degrading or pornographic materials concerning the Elimination of All Forms of women, including advertising and to disseminate information aimed at eliminating all forms of vio- Discrimination Against Women lence against women. (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN However, instead of decreasing, sexism and General Assembly, as “any distinction, misogyny in media have increased dramatically exclusion or restriction made on the basis during recent decades. The original issues around of sex which has the effect or purpose of the responsibility of media to end violence against women are still at the core of international debates. impairing or nullifying the recognition, In addition, the new media environment has ex- enjoyment or exercise by women, acerbated some existing problems and raises new irrespective of their marital status, on a challenges that need to be addressed –such as sex basis of equality of men and women, of trafficking and pornography. human rights and fundamental freedoms Evidence in the political, economic, social, cultural, Reviewing feminist research during the last 50 civil or any other field”, violence against years, the prevalence of violence against women women (VAW) constitutes the main in media contents becomes evident. The complex- obstacle for women’s human rights. ity of theoretical and methodological frameworks has increased to the extent that types and modal- ased on the theoretical framework of fem- ities of representing VAW have changed. Binism, nowadays legal definitions on VAW First studies focused on the representation have adopted a holistic perspective which recog- of sexual violence to demonstrate how through nizes both types – physical, sexual, psychological, the commodification of women’s bodies, media economic and femicide – and modalities – insti- content contributed to the normalisation of sex- tutional, community, work, school – of violence ual assault and other forms of sexual violence, and against women and girls. how they reinforced gender inequalities. These Most recently, the Sustainable Development studies were identified by their interdisciplin- Goal 5 Target 5.2 calls to eliminate all forms of ary nature. Influenced by psychoanalysis, Laura’s violence against all women and girls in the public Mulvey male gaze and sexual objectification categor- and private spheres, including trafficking and sex- ies evidenced the patriarchal order existing in film ual and other types of exploitation. industry and how these discriminated women in The CEDAW recognizes the centrality of society. Guided by the questions How do media por- media to the elimination of VAW. Actions pro- tray women? and How do these portrayals limit women moted by the Commission include member States lives?, sociologist Gaye Tuchman called attention to adopt mechanisms to eliminate sexist stereo- to the symbolic annihilation of women in media dis- types in media and advertising, to encourage media course, through omission, trivialisation and condem- to establish codes of production and to stimulate a nation.

33 Media Development 1/2018 The next phase was linked to social interven- has been at the core of public debates in recent tion. Content analysis served to produce quantita- years. In 2016, at least ten young women de- tive statistical data about gender portrayals. These nounced through social networks that they had data supported campaigns against stereotyped been harassed by men in public spaces. These representations in both media content and adver- women publicised the aggressors and, in response, tising which evidenced the presence of different they became victims of both sexual violence and forms and modalities of VAM in content – i.e. do- death threats from Facebook and Twitter users. A mestic violence. very powerful response came from young women Current research promotes holistic analy- in the country. Through the hashtagh #My- sis in order to look at different forms and modal- FirstHarassment (#MiPrimerAcoso, in Spanish), ities of gender-based violence in media discourse 100,000 women told of their experiences as vic- (Vega Montiel, 2014). tims of sexual violence. Findings have demonstrated how media A similar movement emerged in October content reproduces sexist stereotypes that asso- 2017, in USA. The hashtag #MeToo was used ciate male identity to violence, domination, in- to denounce the Hollywood producer Harvey dependence, aggression and power, while women Weinstein as a sexual aggressor. The hashtag was are linked to emotions, vulnerability, dependency promptly popularized worldwide for millions of and sensitivity (Elasmar, Hasegawa and Brain, women to publicize personal experiences of sexual 1999; McGhee and Frueh, 1980; Thompson and harassment or assault. Zerbinos, 1995). Online and social media have become new In particular, news reports of violence and powerful vehicles for misogynistic threats against women tend to represent women as vic- and harassment which can result in the silencing tims and as responsible for the violence of which of women. While fewer women than men access they are victims. Usually, aggressors are not part the Internet today – there are currently 200 mil- of news reports. VAW is not shown as a structural lion fewer women online than men – new sexist problem which is the consequence of inequality media and new sexist discourses can exacerbate between women and men in society, but as a mere violence against women and girls. individual experience which uses to happen in do- Another dimension of the sexist nature of mestic spaces (Diez, 2002; Vega Montiel, 2007). online discourse is the widespread circulation of With the development of ICT, cyber- pornography. Some statistics suggest that there VAWG is emerging as a global problem. Almost are more than 4 million websites that offer por- three quarters of women have been exposed to nography – 12% of the total number of websites some form of violence online. Types of cyber-vio- in the world – 100,000 of which offer child por- lence include: hacking, surveillance, harassment, nography. The online pornography industry has death threat, recruitment and malicious distri- a turnover of 97.06 billion dollars per year, more bution (Broadband Commission for Digital De- than Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Netflix velopment, 2015). and Apple combined (Feminist Peace Network, Violence online and offline “feed into each 2006). other. Abuse may be confined to networked tech- Linked to pornography is the sex trafficking nologies or may be supplemented by offline harass- of women, girls and boys that has been enhanced ment including vandalism, phone calls and physical by new media. Sex trafficking used to happen assault. Similarly, the viral character of distribution mainly in countries which there is a lack of Inter- is now explosive. What was once a private affair net regulation and policy, particularly in countries can now be instantly broadcast to billions of people where there is a high percentage of poor women. across the digital world” (Broadband Commission What can we conclude about violence for Digital Development, 2015: 7). against women offline and online? That the initial In countries such as Mexico, cyberviolence feminist research questions – originating in the

34 Media Development 1/2018 1960s – are still at the core of theory and research production of news on VAW free of sexist on media content. “This still revolves around the stereotypes. most basic questions of power, values, access and 5. To promote the exchange of best practices to exclusion” (Gallager, 2002: 5). end VAW in media and online contents and In addition, the new media environment link with the research community. n has exacerbated some existing problems and puts new challenges that need to be addressed: References Broadband Commission for Digital Development (2015) Cyber-Violence Against Women and Girls: A World-wide Media sexism and male-dominated power struc- Wake-up Call [online] Available at: http://www.unesco. “tures are continually shifting and finding new org/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/images/wsis/ GenderReport2015FINAL.pdf [Accessed 2 May 2017] forms of representation and practice... [then] Díez, P. (2002) Representación de género en los informativos de radio our critique can be never be static or one-di- y television. Madrid: Instituto de la Mujer. Elasmar, M., Hasegawa, K. and Brain, M. (1999) The portrayal of mensional, but we must act collectively… Across women in U.S. prime time television. Journal of Broadcasting disciplines and sectors and across countries and and Electronic Media, 44(1), pp.20-34. Feminist Peace Network (2006), Pornography Revenue Statistics regions (Gallagher, 2015). [online] Available at: [Accessed 13 April 2011]. Recommendations Gallagher, M. (2015), Gender, Media, ICTs and Journalism: 20 In view of the evidence, we further call on the UN Years After the BPfA Forum [online] Available at: http://www. and the international community to bring into unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/ global focus the responsibility of media and ICT pdf/1_2_keynote_lecture_margaret_gallagher.pdf [Accessed 12 May 2016] industries in eliminating violence against women (2002), Women, Media And Democratic Society: In and girls. This is crucial to promoting discussion Pursuit Of Rights And Freedoms [online] Available and to enhancing public visibility and awareness. at: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/ download?doi=10.1.1.535.4478&rep=rep1&type=pdf Key recommended actions include: [Accessed 12 May 2016]. 1. To commission and produce global com- McGhee, P. and Frueh, T. (1980) Television viewing and the learning of sex-role stereotypes. Sex Roles, 6(2), pp.179-188. parative reports on VAW in traditional and Meyers, M. (1997) News coverage of violence against women. digital media contents, with a cross-national London: Sage Publications. and cross-regional perspective, emphasis- United Nations (1995) Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action [pdf] Beijing, China: United Nations. Available at: [Accessed 2 October 2005]. involved in this problem: existing legislation, Thompson, T. and Zerbinos, E. (1995) Gender roles in animated cartoons: Has the picture changed in 20 years?. Sex Roles, policy and regulation, self-regulation and 32(9/10), pp.651-673. co-regulation forms, content of media and Vega Montiel, A. (2014) “Violence against women and media: advancements and challenges of a research and political ICT, media and information literacy pro- agenda”, in Vega Montiel, A. Gender and Media: A Scholarly grams. Agenda for the Global Alliance on Media and Gender. Paris: 2. To call on member States to introduce or UNESCO / IAMCR. pp. 17-21. strengthen regulation and policy aimed at preventing the spread of gender-based vio- Aimée Vega Montiel. Researcher and Chair of the Feminist lence through the media and ICT. Research Program of the National Autonomous University of México - Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Sciences and 3. To encourage media and ICT organisations Humanities. Interim Chair of the GAMAG. Vice-President of the to: adopt gender mainstreaming mechanisms IAMCR and Chair of its Task Force for Gamag. Co-Chair of the for monitoring, evaluation and action; ad- UNESCO Unitwin University Network on Gender Media and ICT. here to national and international legislation to end VAW; improve gender mainstream- ing training programs for content producers. 4. To encourage media unions and journal- ists groups to adopt basic principles for the

35 Media Development 1/2018 and journalism programs globally. These institu- Gender tions prepare future media and ICT professionals and journalists. mainstreaming Changes in curricula must be relevant to and meet the needs of communication and infor- in journalism and mation industries whilst also educating emerging media and journalism practitioners to understand communication the importance of creating gender sensitive media structures and content. To date they have most schools primarily concentrated on technological innova- UNESCO / UNTWIN tion but not in the implications of the production of content for gender equality. “The absence of substantive education about gender issues and newsroom culture in Evidence university journalism courses, helps to Since the publication of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) in 1995, institutional efforts were maintain systemic gender inequality in the concentrated in combating sexist stereotypes in industry” (Louise North, 2010). media and ICT content. Gender sensitivity in media and journalism education was not regarded he Beijing Fourth World Conference on as the starting point to change media content and Women (1995) Section “J” on women and the T operations. It has been thanks to the influence of media, called attention to the centrality of media feminist scholars who, in linking with activists and and ICTs for gender equality. Echoing the Beijing women media workers, have called public atten- Platform for Action (BPfA), the 47th Session of tion to this issue, that education has been recog- the Commission on the Status of Women in 2003 nized as a strategic domain to promote change. noted the responsibility of these industries to end Most recently, the UNESCO UNITWIN discrimination against women. Most recently, University Network on Gender Media and ICTs Sustainable Development Goal 5 also referred to has claimed the centrality of gender mainstream- the role of media and ICTs in women’s empower- ing in the curricula of communication and jour- ment. nalism schools, to combat gender inequality in Recommendations emerging from these in- those industries. itiatives include: combating sexist representations Teaching gender issues in journalism and in media and ICT content; equal access and par- communication schools has to do with under- ticipation of women in media and ICTs industries, standing the construction and impact of the gen- particularly to foster the participation of women dered production of media content, and also with in decision-making positions; access of women the status of women in newsrooms, professional and girls to ICTs; development of gender sensi- career opportunities, equal payment, and eradi- tive media and ICT policy; and the promotion cation of sexual harassment, among other issues of media and information literacy programs for (North, 2010). women and girls. According to Gertseema (2014), gender However, progress has been slow and some mainstreaming in journalism was adopted first by areas have moved backwards – for example, the the Inter Press Service News Agency, which im- extended proliferation of violence against women plemented this policy in 1994 to improve gender in media and digital representations. A potential equality in both media structures and news con- reason for the lack of progress is the absence of tent. gender mainstreaming in higher education and of Following this, in 2012 WACC and the IFJ curricula that are gender sensitive within media together launched the Learning Resource Kit for

36 Media Development 1/2018 Gender-Ethical Journalism two Namibian universities. and Media House Policy, a re- Findings revealed lack of a source to promote gender ethic- formal gender policy at the al journalism. The kit is based institutional level and the on the insights of media absence of gender main- practitioners, educators and streaming in the curricula. scholars from all regions of They also revealed a dearth the world. It includes guide- of gender specific courses lines for gender equality in media contents and and a lack of mechanisms to mainstream gender encourages dialogue within media structures and into undergraduate programs. self-regulatory bodies and NGO’s. The audit made evident that the incorpor- Implementing the gender mainstreaming ation of gender-related issues mostly depends principle in the media and journalism education on the lecturer’s own knowledge and on her/his field, relates to a diversity of dimensions: feminist interests (Made, 2009); a situation that resembles the broader reality of media and jour- * Institutional normative framework – gender nalism courses across the world. equality and gender mainstreaming principles Indeed, similar results were found by North implemented throughout the curricula; in- (2010) in a national study which included 30 uni- cluding through the adoption of a code and/or versities in Australia. According to the study, no mechanisms to prevent discrimination, un- academic journalism program in Australia offers equal treatment, harassment as well as to fos- courses that address the portrayal of women in ter gender-responsive pedagogical approaches the media, neither gendered media culture nor and consistent content; gendered production of content. A few of them * Promotion of parity of male and female stu- just include some aspects of gender in unit syn- dents and scholars at schools, in all activities opses. Also, women students outnumber men in and programs; communication and journalism programs in a * Curricula development and course content ratio between 2:1. – existence of gender specific courses within However, according to North (2010, p. programs that should be planned through a 104) there is an institutional resistance to includ- gender-sensitive perspective; ing feminist theoretical or critical pedagogies in * Teaching/learning - lecturers and students Australian journalism curricula. Thus, the lack of training on feminist theories and methodol- gender mainstreaming in curricula seems to be ogies, also building on the richness of gender the consequence not only of the beliefs, values, analyses and approaches; knowledge and experiences of the course develop- * Learning materials – inclusion of texts, read- ers but of a patriarchal structure that resists the ings and pedagogical materials on gender introduction of the feminist perspective in teach- equality, gender analysis, intersectionality; ing (North, 2010). * Assessments – gender equality as a standard Although there are exceptions, in most of criteria in university assessment tools; cases female out-number male students, when * Research / publications – draw upon/foster they enter the professional field, and they tend to and support research and publications that have lower status. They occupy the lower-income focus on gender in media and communication positions and have difficulty reaching parity with- (Made, 2009). in media and ICT industries – including in gain- ing senior and managerial roles in media organi- Based on this model, the South African sations – which has an impact in media content. NGO Gender Links conducted an audit of gender Why is there still resistance to introduce equality in media and journalism education in gender mainstreaming in the curricula of journal-

37 Media Development 1/2018 ism and communication schools? Louise North view of strengthening a gender-aware ap- offers some insights that inform this question: proach to the educational offer; 6. To train gender-aware next generation of To find reasons why journalism education professionals that may contribute to imple- “ should embrace gender in its curriculum, one ment gender equality principles, and gender just has to ask why men dominate in the editori- equal practices in both media structures and al hierarchy. Why is sexual harassment a contin- content; uing problem in the newsroom and effectively 7. Universities to conduct gender-focused unaddressed by media organisations and the monitoring of students performance during industry union? Why is there a disproportion- education and after graduation. n ate number of men graded higher than women References of equivalent industry experience? And why Gertseema, M. (2014) “Gender mainstreaming in media and are women more cynical about the industry? journalism education”, in Vega Montiel, A. Gender and Media: A Scholarly Agenda for the Global Alliance on Media (North, 2010: 111). ” and Gender. Paris: UNESCO / IAMCR. pp. 70-73. Made, P.A. (2010) Gender in media education: An audit of Gender in Journalism & Media Education and Training. Recommendations Johannesburg: Gender Links. In view of the evidence, the UNESCO UNITWIN North, L. (2010), The Gender ‘Problem’ in Australia Journalism University Network on Gender Media and ICTs Education (December 4). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn. issues a strong call to member States, UN agencies, com/abstract=2015844 universities, media and ICT industries to imple- ment the actions listed below: The Gender, Media and ICTs University Network is a UNESCO UniTWIN (the abbreviation for University 1. A policy and a plan of action on gender Twinning and Networking Programme). Supporting equality to be in place/adopted by universi- education and research on media, information and ties, particularly where journalism and com- communication technologies, the Network specifically munication programs are offered; aims to promote gender equality and women’s partici- 2. All universities work guarantee gender pation in and through media on a global scale through mainstreaming in their journalism and com- research, education and advocacy. munication programs (as per the above di- mensions) with a special attention to digital transformations that have gendered implica- tion for the profession; 3. Gender mainstreaming practices need to in- corporate intersectional approaches to en- sure a fully inclusive educational offer. 4. With the support of the universities repre- sented at the UNESCO UNITWIN Univer- sity Network on Gender Media and ICTs, to promote the exchange of expertise, know- ledge, materials and best practices for the development of gender-sensitive curricula in journalism and communication; 5. Member States, UN agencies, and universi- ties to allocate adequate resources to conduct research on gender equality in journalism and communication teaching programs, in

38 Media Development 1/2018 « femmes et des médias » a fait l’objet de nombreux Genre et travaux et séminaires dans la plupart des pays d’Af- rique Sub-saharienne. Des organisations interna- radiodiffusion tionales comme l’UNESCO, des chercheurs, des autorités nationales, des instances universitaires Evelyne Faye et des organisations de médias, des organisations La Conférence des Nations Unies sur les féminines ont, à différents niveaux soulevé la question de la présence et de l’image des femmes femmes tenue en 1995 a souligné le rôle dans les médias. essentiel des médias dans la promotion de Le nombre de femmes employées dans les l’égalité des genres dans tous les domaines, médias a considérablement augmenté. Mais cette les parties prenantes se s’étaient accordées augmentation ne s’est pas traduite par la présence sur la nécessité d’unir leurs efforts pour de femmes à des postes de responsabilité dans les médias et n’a pas eu d’impact sur la représenta- lutter contre « les images stéréotypées tion des femmes dans les contenus. Elles sont can- des femmes et l’inégalité de l’accès et de tonnées à des postes de présentatrices de bulletins la participation à tous les systèmes de d’information et sont beaucoup moins présentent communication », en particulier les médias. dans les postes de reporters où les hommes sont plus nombreux ou les reportages sur les théma- son tour, en 2003, lors du second sommet de tiques dites « douce » leur sont réservées. A l’Union africaine (UA) à Maputo (Mozam- Une étude du GMMP a révélé que 32% des informa- bique), il a été adopté, en complément de la Charte tions dites « dures » sont rédigées ou couvertes par des africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples femmes qui sont davantage orientées vers les sujets dits votée en 1986, un Protocole relatif aux droits des « doux » de société, de santé, de culture etc… femmes en Afrique, appelé également « Protocole Par exemple, leur représentativité au niv- de Maputo ». eau des postes de responsabilité reste très faible Avec le Protocole de Maputo, l’Union afric- par rapport aux hommes (voir tableau ci-dessous), aine s’est dotée d’un instrument destiné à remédier selon le Projet de l’Union Africaine de Radiodiffu- à la précarité de la situation juridique des femmes sion conduit dans 7 de ses organisations membres. en engageant les pays qui l’ont ratifié à prendre des mesures concrètes en vue d’assurer l’égalité Equilibre entre les genres au niveau des femmes et des hommes. Ainsi, il existe pour la décisionnaire des medias première fois un document contractuel qui enlève Effectif Médias Hommes % Femmes % tout fondement aux critiques qui prétendent que Cadres l’égalité des sexes serait uniquement une préoccu- TV Algérie 1554 933 60% 621 40% pation des pays du Nord, et que tout effort en ce Radio 293 191 65% 102 35% sens constituerait une « ingérence dans la culture Algérie et les traditions » des peuples du Sud. Bénin 103 91 88 % 12 12% La Conférence des femmes de 1995 dénonce Cameroun 379 275 73% 104 27% Kenya 171 112 66% 59 34% les stéréotypes dans les médias et appellent les Sénégal 452 316 70% 136 30% professionnels des médias à définir et adopter des Source : Union Africaine de Radiodiffusion codes ou des lignes éditoriales sensibles au genre pour donner une image impartiale et exacte des Dans le contexte de modernisation et de femmes. démocratisation de la société en général, il est nécessaire que les gouvernants apportent les ré- formes nécessaires aux textes légaux en vue de Evidence Au cours de la dernière décennie, la question des l’égalité des chances hommes et les femmes à

39 Media Development 1/2018 Formation de radi- odiffuseursa afric- ains francophones sur « L’Application des indicateurs d’égalité des genres dans les médias »21- 24 Octobre 2016. Photo:UNESCO/OIF.

diplômes et qualifications égales mais aussi la lib- * Garantir la liberté d’expression des médias et erté de pensées et des opinions et d’assurer une leur protection dans le cadre des textes institu- visibilité et un accès égal aux médias. tionnelles Depuis les femmes se sont organisées en as- * Prendre en compte la dimension genre dans sociations, ONG, pour défendre et faire respecter les politiques sectorielles en adoptant des leurs droits en tant que professionnelles mais en textes législatifs dont l’objectif sera de rétablir tant qu’actrices du développement de leurs pays l’équilibre entre les genres respectifs. * Renforcer le pouvoir institutionnel des or- En Afrique, les femmes sont bien représentées ganes de régulation dans les organes de presse et les salles de rédaction. Elles sont même très souvent plus nombreuses Pour les agences des Nations Unies : que les hommes. Cependant, elles n’occupent pas * 23 ans après la conférence de Beijing actualiser la même place que leurs homologues masculins la déclaration de Beijing dans les rédactions et dans les positions de prise * Mettre à la disposition des organisations pro- de décision. Néanmoins il y a eu des avancées im- fessionnelles des ressources pour favoriser la portantes en ce qui concerne les conditions de tra- formation des professionnels des médias vail, le traitement salarial et l’environnement de * Appuyer par la mise à disposition de res- travail. sources la formation des professionnels des La formation continue des journalistes pro- médias à la dimension genre fessionnels aux politiques d’intégration de la di- * Elaborer des outils partage des bonnes pra- mension genre est essentielle dans la définition des tiques. n lignes éditoriales. Cette démarche contribuerait à réduire considérablement les stéréotypes omni- Evelyne Faye, Chef du Département marketing et communication – Union Africaine de Radiodiffusion. Elle a fait des études en présents dans les pratiques des médias. management des affaires et a obtenu en 2004 un master en marketing et communication, puis un MBA en stratégie des organisations de l’université de Chicoutimi au Québec. Recommandations Pour les gouvernements * Définir des politiques et des processus d’insti- tutionnalisation de l’égalité des genres

40 Media Development 1/2018 of the private media, they sought to expand com- Community media munication spaces by providing access to alterna- tive issues and perspectives generally ignored by networks in Latin the mainstream media. Despite widespread and longstanding links America with social movements and local activism, they María Soledad Segura have survived – often clandestinely – under pre- carious conditions. In most countries, they were Community, alternative and popular considered illegal or faced significant restrictions radio stations have a long tradition in until recently when many broadcasting acts were changed. Because they operated without licenses, Latin America that began in the middle they were frequently the target of judicial perse- of the 20th century. They accompanied cution as well as police raids and closures. They the struggles of social organizations and have chronically operated on shoestring budgets. popular sectors against dictatorial or Because they existed outside legal frameworks, authoritarian states despite the fact that they could not access much funding, which per- petuated economic difficulties. One of the most those states persecuted them or, in the best important financers of community, alternative of cases, ignored them. At the same time, and popular media was – and, in some few cases, they always demanded legal recognition. still is – foreign aid. Community media constitute the least vis- n this century, community media supported ible sector of the cultural industries in the region. Iwide-ranging alliances of civil society organiz- Neither their networks nor the states have cen- ations in each country that promoted communi- tralized, systematized or complete information cation policies based on the human right to com- about their coverage, audiences, number of work- municate and that succeeded in influencing the ers, and possibilities of development. Although new broadcasting acts passed in the last 15 years. there are no reliable figures, community radios in What has been their role in these struggles and the region are estimated to be in the tens of thou- what did they achieve? Why today, in an era of sands: according to Gumucio Dagron, in Brazil digital media, are they still relevant? there are eight thousand and in Peru four thou- sand. Although this is a vast and diverse group, Their history People’s radio stations have been a relevant part some shared characteristics can be identified. of the media landscape in Latin America since They question profit as the purpose of their com- the 1940s. In the beginning, they were founded munication practices. They seek a change in so- by grassroots movements with a strong presence cial relations from inequality to inequality and of Christian organizations. They are connected to intervene in public spaces to contribute to the to myriad social movements and organizations of construction of more just societies. They also op- workers, peasants and farmers, miners, indigen- pose the hegemonic media system formed pre- ous peoples, human rights groups, unions, local dominantly by for-profit and highly concentrated churches, neighbourhood associations, and the companies, which collude more in legitimising the urban poor. social order than in criticising and transforming it. They are conceived as channels for ordinary That is why community, popular and al- people to express themselves publicly and to make ternative media are characterized by the expres- demands of society. By rejecting the propaganda of sion of historically silenced voices, a willingness state-run media as well as the profit-seeking goals to intervene in public debate, the construction of agendas and approaches that challenge the domin-

41 Media Development 1/2018 ant ones, the promotion of participation, and the articulated in the MacBride Report in 1980. The creation of alliances as strategies to gain influence. right to communicate includes but goes beyond Community radio stations historically pro- freedom of speech and access to information. The vide an important service function to their com- human right to communicate is not just for media munities. Besides, as a result of their work, there owners and journalists, but for everybody. It in- are thousands of people trained in communica- cludes access to media consumption and produc- tion, education and development in every country. tion, social participation in media management They also contribute to media growth on the con- and production and in devising broadcasting poli- tinent. In addition, people’s radio stations aimed cies, content diversity in every media, diversity in to strengthen democracy after the dictatorships, the media system, and equity in the distribution of and that effectively happened. information between nations, regions of a coun- try, political powers, cultural communities, eco- Their struggles nomic entities and social groups. Community radio stations founded national To reinforce this demand, community networks such as ERBOL (Bolivia), UCBC and radio allied with other media movements and UNDA (Brazil), CNR (Peru), Arpas (El Salvador), social movements in coalitions and networks in IGER (Guatemala), CORAPE (Ecuador), and each country such as Coalición por una Radiod- UDECA (Dominican Republic). In 1972, many of ifusión Democrática (Coalition for a Democrat- them founded ALER (Latin American Association ic Broadcasting) in Argentina and Coalición por of Radio Education), the regional association of una Comunicación Democrática (Coalition for community radios. At the international level, they a Democratic Communication) in Uruguay. In supported the New World Information and Com- most countries, they played key roles in bolstering munication Order (NWICO) promoted by the communication policy reforms in the 2000s. movement of Non-Aligned Countries, that had After decades of resistance to states, com- an impact on the MacBride Report published by munity radio stations and their allies began to UNESCO in 1980. In each country, while they ac- negotiate with them to influence communication companied other popular movements fighting for policies. These traditionally disempowered enti- social, politic and civil rights, community radio ties have been the main promoters of communi- stations also demanded legal recognition. cation legislation reform that ensures diversity In the 20th century, that demand was ex- and, in particular, participation by the sector in tended to integral media policy reforms aimed the legal provision of audiovisual communication at limiting media concentration, legalizing and services. Alongside other civil society organiz- promoting community media (including indigen- ations, they played an unprecedented role in the ous media), and fostering national, local, and in- debate and formulation of new media policies in dependent production. The aim was to restrict the the region. domination of private corporations based on the People educated in and motivated by the perception that the unmatched power of market right to communicate ideal in community radio forces in terms of ownership, funding, and con- stations and networks decades ago – intellectuals, tent was the key problem of public communica- activists and politicians – play key roles in com- tion in the region. munication and political fields today. Some of These notions are based on the concept of them even became important state functionaries communication as a human, universal, collective, like Augusto Dos Santos, Minister of Communi- and positive right that should be guaranteed by cations during the presidency of Fernando Lugo the State. They draw on the principles promoted in Paraguay, or Rafael Roncagliolo, Minister of by the Non-Aligned Movement (which endorsed Foreign Affairs during the government of Ollanta the New World Information and Communication Humala in Peru (Dietz, 2017). Order debates in the 1960s and the 1970s) and

42 Media Development 1/2018 Their impacts and classism increasingly come not only from iso- Over the past decade and a half, in many coun- lated social groups but also from states, a form of tries community media have succeeded in their communication that recognizes different people struggle for state recognition. They have had an as equal, with history and destiny in common, is impact on the 11 new radio broadcasting and tele- essential for democratic societies. communications acts passed in the region since In the digital age, community broadcasting 2004, which recognized community media as legal is still important in a region with growing levels providers of broadcasting services. In addition, al- of internet access and affordability, but also with most all of them introduced more equitable distri- enormous inequalities in access according to the bution of the radio spectrum in the commercial, geographical location and socio-economic situa- state and community sectors. Some laws reserved tion of the population. Here, community broad- for them a third of the electromagnetic spectrum casters are starting – slowly and unevenly, accord- (Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador), estab- ing to their economic possibilities – a transition lished state promotion mechanisms (Argentina), towards digitalisation and convergent technolo- and participation in media policy-making institu- gies. tions (Argentina, Uruguay). In summary, we reaffirm the relevance of This created an unprecedented scenario community, people’s and alternative media for for community media. They need to apply for a their history of solidarity with popular move- license or legal authorization to provide audio- ments, social struggles and disadvantaged sectors visual services. In addition, they can advocate for of society; for their leading role in the challenge the implementation of new laws in relation to to expand communication rights; and for their the particularities of the sector. Fulfilling the re- contribution to diversity and pluralism: crucial quirements of new laws brings novel challenges factors in the construction of democratic and just for their economic sustainability and growth, and societies. requires new administrative, legal and accounting On the one hand, their presence helps to skills and knowledge. configure more plural and diverse media systems, Since 2015, in several countries of the re- given that the sectors that participate in it multiply. gion and along with political changes there has On the other hand, these media allow the inter- been a change of direction in communication poli- vention of subjects, themes and perspectives that cies directed at community media. Although the usually do not have a place in the private-commer- norms sanctioned in the previous period were not cial or state media. That is why non-profit media repealed, there are significant slowdowns in the are central to guaranteeing the right to communi- processes of legalization and promotion of these cate and crucial to the development of democratic, stations. At the same time, measures allowing diverse and pluralistic societies. For these reasons, concentration of ownership by audiovisual and the existence of community media cannot be left telecommunications corporations have been de- to the market. The role of the State in promoting ployed. Governments that lean to the right dis- them is essential. n trust popular voices. This article is based on: Segura, M. S (2011) Las disputas por democratizar las comunicaciones. Their relevance today Las tomas de posición de las organizaciones sociales. (Córdoba, In a context of high concentration of media owner- 2001-2009), PhD Thesis, UBA. Available at: http:// ship, advertising and audiences, rapid and mas- democratizarcomunicacion.eci.unc.edu.ar/tesis/ Segura, M. S. (2014) “La sociedad civil y la democratización de sive diffusion of information including false news, las comunicaciones en Latinoamérica”, in: Iconos. Revista de and media linked to political and economic elites, Ciencias Sociales, FLACSO-Ecuador, Quito, May. Available at: http://revistas.flacsoandes.edu.ec/iconos/article/ community media are needed to provide alterna- view/1272 tive information from a diversity of perspectives. Segura, M. S. (2017) “From media development to public policies: When violent expressions of racism, xenophobia, the impact of foreign aid in the latin american communication

43 Media Development 1/2018 field”, in: Benequista, N.; Abbot, S.; Mano, W.; & Rotman, P. International Media Development: Historical Perspectives and New Frontiers, Peter Lang, Forthcoming. Segura, M. S. (2017) “The impact of foreign aid in Latin American On the screen popular communication”, in: 2017 IAMCR pre-conference “Reflections on foreign aid, philanthropy and change in media systems”, Cartagena de Indias, Juy 15. Venice (Italy) 2017 Segura, M. S & S. Waisbord (2016) Media movements. Civil society and media policy reforms in Latin America, Zedbooks, The INTERFILM Jury at the 74th Mostra London. Segura, M. S., A. Linares, A. L. Hidalgo, L. Kejval, V. Longo, N. internazionale d’arte cinematografica in Venice Traversaro & N. Vinelli (2016) “Brechas. La desigualdad en las (August 30 to September 9, 2017) gave the 8th políticas de fomento de medios comunitarios, otros medios e INTERFILM Award for Promoting Interreligious industrias culturales”, in: Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias de la Comunicación, No 25, ALAIC, Brazil. Available at: Dialogue to Los versos del olvido (Oblivion verses) http://www.alaic.org/revistaalaic/index.php/alaic/article/ directed by Alireza Khatami (France, Germany, view/847 Netherlands, Chile, 2017). María Soledad Segura holds a PhD from Universidad de Buenos Motivation: The film combines harsh realism Aires and is a professor at Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación with visual poetry to tell a story that transcends and Facultad de Ciencias Sociales of Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina, and researcher at the Consejo Nacional de time and place and crosses political, cultural and Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. She leads research groups religious boundaries. In Los versos del olvido (still about civil society and communication and culture rights, and about below), Alireza Khatami tells a tale about loss, community media. Her most recent books are Media movements. Civil society and media policy reform in Latin America (with Silvio memory, lost bodies and mourning. Convincing Waisbord, Zedbooks, 2016) and Los medios sin fines de lucro entre scene-setting and images convey a strong sense of la Ley Audiovisual y los decretos. Estrategias, desafíos y debates compassion and humanity. To care for the dead entre 2009 y 2015 (editor, with Cintia Weckesser, Editorial de la UNC, 2016). as well for the living brings unites us even though handed down by different traditions and rituals through the history and religions of humankind. The members of the 2017 Jury: Takoua Ben Mohamed (Italy); Jacques Champeaux (President of the Jury, France); Charlotte Wells (Sweden).

44 Media Development 1/2018 His attitude gets him in trouble with the new boss. Miskolc (Hungary) The crisis at work coincides with the personal life crisis. Caught between emergency calls, alco- 2017 hol-fueled off-shifts, and search for a meaning in At the 14th Jameson CineFest International Film life, Oleg and Katya have to find the binding force Festival held in Miskolc 8-17 September 2017, the that keeps them together. Ecumenical Jury, appointed by INTERFILM and Members of the 2017 Jury: Beáta Késda SIGNIS, awarded its Prize to Aritmija (Arrhyth- (President, Hungary); Agoston Erhardt (Hun- mia, see still below) directed by Boris Khlebnikov gary); Christine Ris (Switzerland); Magali van (Russia/Finland/Germany, 2017). Reeth (France). Motivation: Oleg and Katya are a young couple dedicated to their work as emergency med- ics but he drinks too much and she is disappointed Chemnitz (Germany) by their relationship. As in arrhythmia, the couple is in crisis and love at the same time. With the 2017 use of fiction and documentary, the film asks, in The Ecumenical Jury at the 22nd International ordinary situations, questions about the value of Film Festival for Children and Young Audience life and human dignity under financial pressure. Schlingel (22 September to 1 October 2017) award- It shows with humour and sensibility that it is al- ed its Prize to Sobre rodas (On Wheels) directed by ways worth to fight for your rights and that love Mauro D’Addio, Brazil, 2017. is always an answer. Motivation: Atmospheric images transport Synopsis: Oleg is a young gifted paramedic. us to the dusty roads of small-town Brazil. On His wife Katya works at the hospital emergency Wheels takes us on an inspiring journey of self-dis- department. She loves Oleg, but is fed up with covery with classmates Lais and Lucas, two equal- him caring more about patients than her. She tells ly charming and well-developed main characters. him she wants a divorce. The new head of Oleg’s Aided by the trust they place in each other they are EMA substation is a cold-hearted manager who’s able to overcome adversity and build resilience to got new strict rules to implement. Oleg couldn’t the challenges life throws at them. Lucas may not care less about the rules − he’s got lives to save. regain the ability to walk and Lais may not find the father she has never met, but along the way, they never- theless become empowered through the development of an open and loving relation- ship to each other. On Wheels portrays with a refreshing lightness the importance of resilience in life and seeing beyond the outward limita- tions of others. In addition, the jury awarded a Commendation to Zuckersand (Sugar Sand) directed by Dirk Kummer, Germany, 2017. Motivation: The film tells

45 Media Development 1/2018 the story of an extraordinary friendship between episode of world history. On a quest for her own two 10-yearold boys faced with the threat of sep- roots, the author finds, in a house in Russia, evi- aration by the inner German border in the year dence of her origins, the flight, the story of her 1979. Questions of faith and values come to the family, the way the past was dealt with, the issue surface for Fred as he is met with the religious of forgetting, the effects of hunger – all measured background of his best friend Jonas. With an open against the yardstick of death. curiosity towards the world that he as a GDR cit- Working with pictures of the house and izen is unable to experience, Fred explores the souvenirs, with letters, sound recordings and true meaning of solidarity and the properties of especially with Italian animation artist Simone the soul through his friendship with Jonas. Massi’s excellent visuals, Aljona van der Horst has Members of the 2017 Jury: Ingrid Stapf created a moving and profound work of art, not (President, Germany); Reinhard Middel (Ger- without risking a pinch of irony and humour, too. many); Astrid Skov-Jacobsen (Denmark). Members of the 2017 Jury: Michael Jäger, CO (Germany); Yasmine Kassari (Belgium); Bri- gitte Rotach (Switzerland); Christiane Thiel Leipzig (Germany) (President, Germany). 2017 At the 60th International Leipzig Festival for Lübeck (Germany) Dokumentary and Animated Film (30 October to 5 November 2017) the Interreligious Jury award- 2017 ed its Prize to Liefde is aardappelen (Love Is Po- At the 59th Nordic Film Days Luebeck (1-4 tatoes) directed by Aliona van der Horst (Neth- November 2017) the INTERFILM Jury awarded erlands, 2017). The Prize carries €2500, donated the Church Film Prize of €5000 donated by the by the Interreligious Roundtable Leipzig and the Evangelical Church Luebeck-Lauenburg, to Verd- VCH-Hotels Germany GmbH in the “Verband wijnen (Disappearance) directed by Boudewijn Christlicher Hoteliers e.V.” including the Hotel Koole (Netherlands, Norway, 2017). Michaelis in Leipzig. Motivation: In search of a reconciliation with Motivation: Using the example of a personal her mother, a photo-journalist returns to Nor- search for traces, the film (still below) reveals an way’s sparse mountain regions. With the help of

46 Media Development 1/2018 her younger half-brother, the two women grad- Motivation: To whom does a child belong? ually overcome their inability to speak to each Une vie ailleurs focuses this problem in an im- other. The director uses arresting images and pressively emotional way. The film tells the pain- sound to confront the audience with existential ful process of respecting this basic question and questions. stresses the importance of telling the truth. The In addition, the Jury awarded a Commenda- ethical challenge is more than only a juridical case. tion to Rett vest (Going West) directed by Henrik The eyes of the protagonists are finally open for Martin Dahlsbakken (Norway, 2017). the perspective and dignity of the child with all Motivation: This Norwegian road movie ap- consequences for their own life. proaches its characters with a persuasive affec- In addition, the Jury awarded a Commenda- tion and dignity. The film invites the viewer to a tion to Oralman (Returnee) directed by Sabit Kur- non-judgemental look at human diversity. manbekov (Kazakhstan, 2017). Members of the 2017 Jury: Arne Kutsche Motivation: The film is a small and as well (Germany); Kirsten Senbergs (Denmark); Anita paradigmatic story on the importance of people’s Uzulniece (President, Latvia); Thomas vom Sche- roots and the quest for the homeland in times of idt (Germany). worldwide migration. Members of the 2017 Jury: Christoph Strack, Germany – President; Linda Dombrovsky, Mannheim-Heidel- Hungary; Johannes Feisthauer, Germany; Franz- Günther Weyrich, Germany; Michel Zucker, berg (Germany) France.

2017 INTERFILM is the international network for dialogue At the 66th International Film Festival (9-19 between church and film. It participates in festivals 2017), the Ecumenical Jury appointed by INTER- through ecumenical, interreligious or solely Protestant FILM and SIGNIS awarded its Prize, endowed juries which award prizes to outstanding films. WACC with €1500 by the Evangelical Church in Germany partners with both INTERFILM and SIGNIS to facili- (EKD) and the Catholic FilmWork in Germany, to tate the work of the ecumenical juries. n the film Une vie ailleurs (Life Beyond Me) directed by Olivier Peyon (France, Uruguay, 2017).

47 Media Development 1/2018