But look at how it itself treats them
Sana Fatima, a blogger and former staffer at few English dailies, said,“ Apparently, women are treated with respect but it can get condescending because there are certain subjects and news beats that are only handed over to men. Also, in electronic media, the way women look sometimes plays an important role in her career than her hard work and knowledge”
International Women’s Day – a day observed on 8 March every year to acknowledge women for their services and commemorating the women’s rights movement– is just a reminder of how much women are contributing to this world. Like every year, this time too, this day was much celebrated over the media, creating its hype with special segments, packages and programs hosted by female anchors and inviting some distinguished women as guests.
Although women working in every field have to face challenges but media being a driving force in society is very demanding, and media jobs always come with immense work pressure and long working hours, therefore women working in media have to remain much stronger and tougher than those working in any other field.
It is ironic that media – which is always saluting the women over such occasions – is itself somehow mistreating its women by not giving them the respect and laxity they demand. Media does raise voice for suppressed women in society and is of course playing a major role in their empowerment, but what of the women who are working day and night in these media outlets and adding value to their work? These women also command respect and do not need to be treated only as a piece of attraction.
DNA reached various women working in media organisations to know how they are treated being a female entity.
Here is what news anchor Neelum Yousuf of ARY News has to say about her experience in this field.
“I have been working in the field for five years and what I have experienced and seen in my surroundings is that there is always a glass ceiling for women in every field and so in media too – whether it is related to their age, beauty, or sending them in field for reporting – there are things where men are preferred over women but there are some good things too, they are given respect and added benefits. I think we should talk about them and address them so people should know what issues women have to face in news media field. We can never, at any point, say that ‘she can’t do this thing because she’s a woman’.”
Anchorperson Dua Kanwal of Express News, while telling her experience, said it has been a great journey for her so far andshe has learnt a lot in her career.
“In a male dominated society there are alot of challenges daily faced by women everywhere but a successful woman would let things go and stay firm and committed to her goals. There are many ups and downs in this field, but media is a miracle for hardworking people. I have worked for 24 hours too in my career which shows that there is no gender discrimination as far as this field is concerned.Yes there are goods and bads in every field but you need to decide your own path. I can proudly say that women have grown up in the society and they are eager to move forward along with men or even beyond them,” Kanwal said.
Here is what she said in her message on women’s day.
Other than anchoring, women somehow feel the same in other media departments like reporting and production.
Mahnoor Khalid, a reporter at Dunya News, said, “What I think is that women do get benefits and comfort in office for just being a woman and yes they are treated well but on the other hand, they are equally considered dumb somehow.Women also get harassed in the field and I have experienced both. For example, if there’s a tough situation, they say that a female reporter cannot go there or they doubt the authenticity of the news filed by her. Also, if a girl is pretty she is always flirted with and honestly, beauty gets a lot of chances to progress.”
Asyesha Saghir, a producer at Express News, said, “In majority of the media houses, women are neglected when higher ups are appointing people on main seats and if any woman fortunately reaches the leading seat in a newsroom, people make it difficult for her to survive. If you are a woman, you have to work a lot harder to prove your talent as compared to males. Women do face discrimination, harassment and disrespect in media but luckily, I haven’t faced any misbehaviour. My organisation is one of those few channels where women are respected and have complete freedom to give her opinion and are heading many key positions.”
Coming to print media, where beauty is not needed to get yourself a chance, women have a greater opportunity to project their thoughts and work effectively in newsrooms but when it comes to going to the field, they also have to face the same challenges.
Sana Fatima, a blogger and former staffer at few English dailies, said, “Apparently, women are treated with respect but it can get condescending because there are certain subjects and news beats that are only handed over to men. Also, in electronic media, the way women look sometimes plays an important role in her career than her hard work and knowledge.”
With all the perks and glamour it brings with itself, media is sure not an easy job. It takes a lot from a person but promises to give something in return too. Working in media needs some patience and stamina, and no doubt, all the women working for these media outlets, whether print or broadcast, have exceptional potential. However, it still needs to be realised that if a woman has made a place in this field, it is not because of her beauty or good looks but also because of the countless hours and endless effort she has put in to achieve it.
Thumbs up to all the headstrong women working in media and making it grow!