This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/jun/04/sad-truths-about-women-in-us-media-its-still-dominated-by-men

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Sad truths' about women in US media - it's still dominated by men 'Sad truths' about women in US media – it's still dominated by men
(about 3 hours later)
A new report by the US-based Women’s Media Center* reveals that the status of women in news and entertainment is as bleak as ever, writes Charlotte Alter in Time magazine.A new report by the US-based Women’s Media Center* reveals that the status of women in news and entertainment is as bleak as ever, writes Charlotte Alter in Time magazine.
On the basis of the report, she argues that there has been little progress towards gender parity in most areas, and in some — such as sports journalism — women have lost ground with 7% fewer women reporting sport than last year. On the basis of the report, she argues that there has been little progress towards gender parity in most areas, and in some – such as sports journalism – women have lost ground, with 7% fewer women reporting sport than last year.
Alter, drawing on details from the report, “The status of women in US media”, has listed some of its “most depressing insights” and “sad truths”.Alter, drawing on details from the report, “The status of women in US media”, has listed some of its “most depressing insights” and “sad truths”.
1. The news industry still hasn’t achieved anything that resembles gender equality. Women are on camera only 32% of the time in evening broadcast news, and write 37% of print news stories.1. The news industry still hasn’t achieved anything that resembles gender equality. Women are on camera only 32% of the time in evening broadcast news, and write 37% of print news stories.
2. Men still dominate “hard news.” Men report 67% of criminal justice news; 65% of domestic political stories; 64% of world politics; and 63% of science coverage. As for sport, only 10% of coverage is produced by women (down from 17% the previous year). Education and lifestyle coverage were the only areas of real parity. 2. Men still dominate “hard news”. Men report 67% of criminal justice news; 65% of domestic political stories; 64% of world politics; and 63% of science coverage. As for sport, only 10% of coverage is produced by women (down from 17% the previous year). Education and lifestyle coverage were the only areas of real parity.
3. Opinions are male-dominated too. Newspaper editorial boards are, on average, made up of seven men and four women. Commentators on Sunday morning talk-shows are more than 70% male.3. Opinions are male-dominated too. Newspaper editorial boards are, on average, made up of seven men and four women. Commentators on Sunday morning talk-shows are more than 70% male.
4. Hollywood executives are still overwhelmingly male (and white). Studio senior management is 83% male and 92% white.4. Hollywood executives are still overwhelmingly male (and white). Studio senior management is 83% male and 92% white.
5. Acting: women accounted for only 12% of on-screen protagonists in 2014, and just 30% of characters with speaking parts.5. Acting: women accounted for only 12% of on-screen protagonists in 2014, and just 30% of characters with speaking parts.
6. Behind the movie scenes: women accounted for 25% of writers in 2013-2014, down from 34% the previous year. Women make up only 23% of executive producers (down from 27%) and 20% of show creators (down from 24%). For the 250 most profitable films made in 2014, 83% of the directors, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors are guys.6. Behind the movie scenes: women accounted for 25% of writers in 2013-2014, down from 34% the previous year. Women make up only 23% of executive producers (down from 27%) and 20% of show creators (down from 24%). For the 250 most profitable films made in 2014, 83% of the directors, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors are guys.
The organisation’s president, Julie Burton, is quoted by the Associated Press as commenting: “This new report shows us who matters and what is important to media and clearly, as of right now, it is not women”.The organisation’s president, Julie Burton, is quoted by the Associated Press as commenting: “This new report shows us who matters and what is important to media and clearly, as of right now, it is not women”.
But Alter belives there is some good news to highlight. At the New York Times Book Review, 52% of reviews in 2014 were written by women. At the Chicago Sun-Times, 54% of the bylines were female. And 53% of contributors to the Huffington Post were women.But Alter belives there is some good news to highlight. At the New York Times Book Review, 52% of reviews in 2014 were written by women. At the Chicago Sun-Times, 54% of the bylines were female. And 53% of contributors to the Huffington Post were women.
*The Women’s Media Center was founded in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem with the goal of making women visible and powerful in media.*The Women’s Media Center was founded in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem with the goal of making women visible and powerful in media.
Sources: Time/AP via CTVSources: Time/AP via CTV