‘Attitude of doubt’ greatest hurdle to women in Nepali media, interaction concludes
KATHMANDU/, March 11: Media Action Nepal (MAN), which has been working to promote freedom of expression and media development and fostering media accountability for nearly a decade, and the Working Journalists Association Nepal (WOJAN), an organization advocating for the professional rights of Nepali journalists, organized an interaction program to discuss the lack of women leadership in newsrooms of Nepal on Sunday, March 10. The interaction was organized in the capital Kathmandu to mark the International Women’s Day.
Nearly two dozen journalists, scholars and activists raised numerous pertinent issues at the event and presented a range of factors keeping women out of leadership positions in Nepali media.
On the topic, Laxman Datt Pant, Chairperson of MAN, highlighted a crucial thing: editors are picked through contacts and affiliations rather than open competition in Nepali media. Were there open calls, women would have a chance of reaching the top, as would other capable individuals. But presently, the so-called corporate media pick editors based on arbitrary criteria that keep many out.
Priyanka Jha, Vice-Chairperson of MAN, spoke about how it was not a lack of capacity keeping women out of the top level but a lack of trust. The inherent patriarchy in the structure of Nepali media, she said, does not view women as capable of leading newsrooms. The same structure also does not consider women as “having sufficient expertise” to be quoted in news. This prevents female voices from being heard on pertinent issues like climate change that ironically affect them most.
Jha also noted the physical, professional, and sexual insecurities women in media faced. “But they do not have a mechanism or authority they can approach when they face dangers or harassment. This affects their morale and mental health,” she highlighted.
Senior Journalist Poonam Poudel shared her experiences working in state-owned and private media and how female personnel were passed over for junior male colleagues. She shared how decision makers did not trust women enough to execute duties and chose to keep them as assistants while promoting less experienced men to higher roles.
An “attitude of doubt,” as she explained, prevailed against women media persons, an attitude that always doubted women’s abilities to deliver results. In Poudel’s observation, this was not the case of men who were readily trusted.
Poudel also felt that a lack of proper and regular payment discouraged women to develop a lengthy career in media. “We have no money, no time (as we have to be ready to work 24/7) and no encouragement, so why should we stay?” she questioned.
Building on this, Jha made a poignant point, “Women have to prove their performance while men are automatically assumed to be able to perform.”
Journalist Manisha Awasthi presented two prevailing trends regarding women leadership in media. The first is that women are legal owners of the media organization or are publishers, but the true control lies with a man, often their husbands. The second trend is that women are only editors in media they own. Others have not sought to make women for editorial positions. She further elaborated on the “attitude of doubt,” saying it was particularly directed against married women with children. “The higher-ups in media think that such women will prioritize their families over their job responsibilities.”
Sangeeta Lama, Acting President of the organization Working Women Journalist, raised that women were “gatekept” out of leadership. They are always relegated to softer beats that do not lead to promotions or editorial positions.
Bimala Tumkhewa, President of Sancharika Samuha Forum of Women Journalists and Communicators, emphasized that women journalists faced additional obstacles than their male counterparts that necessitated additional organizations and redressal mechanisms. She also shared the tragic situation of relatively junior male journalists having become editors while senior and better skilled women journalists are on the verge of quitting the profession altogether. She further believed that advancing GESI in newsrooms would go a long way in increasing inclusivity.
Sancha Kumari Lama Tamang, Central Committee Member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) said the root of this problem was conservative mindset and noted that there was much to do to ensure women leadership in Nepali media.
Janmadev Jaisi, Chairperson of WOJAN, highlighted the need for acknowledgement and awareness. Acknowledgement that there are problems in the Nepali media sector and problems hindering the progress of women media persons. And awareness among journalists and editors about their rights.
Everyone agreed that the interaction was fruitful and hoped it would facilitate further discussions on challenges facing women and gender minorities in Nepali media.