Media Advisory: How can we get more women in newsrooms? New study on gender and journalism in Asia-Pacific gives media professionals their say

“Inside the News: Challenges and Aspirations of Women Journalists in Asia and the Pacific” to be launched by UNESCO, UN Women and IFJ at Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in special event on 22 June

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BANGKOK, 14 JUNE, 2015 – In many countries across Asia and the Pacific, women media professionals have increased their number in the newsrooms, but they still represent only 3 out of 10 news staff and often earn less than their male counterparts, while struggling to reach decision-making positions.

These are some of the findings in “Inside the News: Challenges and Aspirations of Women Journalists in Asia and the Pacific”, a new study set to be launched by UNESCO, UN Women and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on 22 June. The new study highlights how issues of gender impact the lives and work of journalists in the region, with case studies drawn from the personal accounts of media professionals in Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu.

The launch event will bring together the report’s authors as well as media professionals to assess the situation women journalists in Asia and the Pacific face and strategies that can help foster greater gender equality in the media.

WHAT: Launch of the study: Inside the News – Challenges and Aspirations of Women Journalists in Asia and the Pacific.

WHEN: 22 June 2015, 16:00 – 19:30.

Programme:

16.00-16.30: Registration
16.30-16.45: Opening
16.45-17.15: Presentation of the study’s key findings and recommendations
17.15-18.45: Panel Discussion: “Fostering Gender Equality in the Media – Good Practices from Asia and the Pacific and a Look into the Future”.
18.45-19.30: Closing and reception

WHERE: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT), 518/5, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, access map: http://www.fccthai.com/location.html

WHO:

Opening: Gwang-Jo Kim, UNESCO Bangkok Director, NN, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok), Jane Worthington, Deputy Director of IFJ Asia-Pacific (Sydney).

Presentation of key findings and recommendations: Misako Ito, Adviser in Communication and Information, UNESCO Bangkok and Jane Worthington, Deputy Director of the IFJ (Sydney).

Discussion: Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Senior Associate Editor of the Sunday Observer (Colombo), Sujata Madhok, President of the Dehli Union of Journalists (New Dehli), Anothai Udomsilp, Director of Thai PBS (Bangkok) and moderated by Laxmi Murthy, Consulting Editor for Himal Southasian magazine (Kathmandu).

CONTACT: For further information about the study or to request an advance copy, and to RSVP (by 18 June, as spaces are limited), please contact: Chantal Mairesse, Communication & Information Unit, UNESCO Bangkok, c.mairesse@unesco.org

Highlights from the study and programme of the launch are attached. Recommendations from the study will be available in English and the languages of the focus countries on 21 June here.

The joint IFJ-UNESCO-UN Women study was published with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Discuss the study “Inside the News” on social media using the hashtag #InsidetheNews

Download the programme of the launch Initiates file download here.

Source: IFJ.org