Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Addressing Challenges for Young Women in Journalism

By: Christiana Tomoloju

In the world of journalism, breaking news and exclusive stories are not the only challenges that female journalists face. Despite progress in recent years, gender disparities still exist in newsrooms, with women underrepresented in leadership roles and their work frequently criticized more harshly than their male counterparts. These challenges have discouraged young women from pursuing careers in journalism, and this article explores the specific challenges they face.

Despite some gender progress that has been made in the industry, the glass ceiling for women in journalism remains largely unbroken. According to a recent study conducted by the Women’s Media Center, men still hold 63% of top management positions in the media industry, and women fill just 38% of all newsroom jobs. Among those in top management positions, White and male dominate over women of all backgrounds including women on color.

This lack of representation at the top is not the only challenge facing young women in journalism. Many women talk about coping with issues like sexist comments and harassment within the newsroom, and a recent survey found over 75% of women in journalism have experienced sexual harassment at work.

The gender gap in pay continues to persist, with women earning less than their male counterparts in many news organizations. A report by the International Women’s Media Foundation found that in international news organizations, senior female journalists and editors earn an average of 74 cents for every dollar earned by their male peers.

In addition to this, women often face barriers to promotion and opportunities for growth in their careers. Study says, Young women are more likely to leave the profession than young men, and the reason for this, according to the same survey, is lack of opportunities for growth.

To address these challenges and pave the way for the next generation of female journalists, experts in the industry are calling for changes to the culture of newsrooms. This could include policies and training programs aimed at preventing harassment and gender discrimination, establishing mentorship programs and networks for young women, and addressing pay gaps and promoting women to senior positions in the newsroom. Some media organizations are also initiating on-demand learning programs to provide women news business skills to supercharge their career growth.