GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE PRACTICE OF JOURNALISM

Abstract

Journalism is considered an exclusive preserve of men with salutation phrase of ‘Gentlemen of the press’ an indication of gender discrimination or men profession only. Religion, culture, gender disparity, role as mother and insecurity among others are factors influencing the performance of women journalists in Nigeria. The core objective of the research is to appraise the gender inequality in the practice of journalism with a case study of Oyo State National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ). Survey research method was used while 120 copies of questionnaires were administered to 120 respondents who were purposively selected with 60 respondents from the print media and another 60 from broadcast media respectively. It is very clear from the findings that women journalists are performing like their male counterparts in all aspect of journalism despite the fact that women’s role as mother alongside religion, political atmosphere are some of challenges limiting the potentials most especially in Africa. Yet the impacts of women journalists to the development of broadcast media cannot be overemphasized as they anchor of women related programmes such as “Today’s Women”, Maggi Kitchen, Women Half Hour, Women in Politics, Best Mom, anchor of Health/Children Programme, entertainment, family show, religion programme. It is recommended that the media employers should ensure gender equality while recruiting for media establishment.