Editorial
Media Approach towards Women Politician
Media can play a role in influencing the people and changing the dynamics of the society. Being a powerful tool it needs to be streamlined positively for the benefits of the society. The power of media cannot be denied; media plays a crucial role in changing attitudes, shaping mindsets and bringing changes in value system and the culture of any society.
Media largely is a by-product of our society and an integral part of the culture we live in. We are living in a patriarchal society with gender stereotypical views that are rigid against women. As a reflection of our gender insensitive socialization process instead of playing a critical role in raising woman's agenda forward and empowering women, media, therefore adopts stereotypical values, which are unfair, bias and insensitive to woman's issues. There seems to be a lack of understanding of the gender issues in the kind of news and information reported in the mainstream media. South Asian society being a complex with varied gender relations portrayal of the diverse gender scenario is challenging task for media. South Asian media houses have few women in the decision making positions and to sustain even these few women use the man's stereotyped lens to understand gender issues. In the process they lose the crux of the women's problems and confine themselves to the soft stories writing without extending to political and economic arena.
How do the media cover women or gendered issues with respect to governance and politics? Most often the news are limited to reporting crime against women where women appear primarily as victims: murdered, raped robbed or driven to death. Women have faced various forms of violence, subtle and distinct, while entering into politics. However this is not reflected in media. Media prioritizes its news and coverage on the basis of protocols and the power positions people hold. Women politicians are rarely covered by media as not many of them are in power positions. Yet, even when they are, they are often there for the wrong reasons. Normally reports on woman politician are found to be more focused on her attire or personal stories rather than her contributions towards society or betterment of political governance. Women politician are often in news when there is some juicy gossips to be shared, when there is rumors of problem in her family or when the opposition wants to victimize her through dirty ploys of character assassination. Since women leaders do not have strong hold in either sectors, politics and media, media is often found to be quick to make a controversy of every statement, action or incidents related to her.
Now it is a time we review our media coverage and what it reflects. Media can play a critical role in raising woman's agenda forward and empowering women especially when it comes to women in politics. Recognizing the stereotypical portrayal of women and gender insensitivity in the media it is a matter of serious concern for the conscious citizens of the region. There is a need to create space to (and) promote positive and gender sensitive approach and attitude in the media to break the gender stereotypes in the mindset of the people at large.
Media plays a crucial role in promoting women political participation. Unless media is sensitive to the issue and take the issues forward as “friends of women in politics”, women in politics will have to continue their struggle alone. It is important that media understand the issues and change their perspective and become allies for combating violence against women in politics.
