Moldovan mass media disregards gender balance and women appear less often in published or broadcast materials. This happens either because journalists and their editors-in-chief don't see the need to respect gender equality or because they choose the easier path to finish a story, as men are generally easier to approach, thinks gender expert and journalist Alida Radu. She told IPN that by doing this mass media perpetuates stereotypes about women in society.

 

The Association of Independent Press is organizing a training for a group of journalists, who are learning to respect gender balance in their articles. Alina Radu is a trainer with them and says that usually journalists simply are unaware of the need to ensure gender balance in their work. In some cases, even if journalists are aware of this issue, editors-in-chief disregard it, claiming that the principle of meritocracy must be followed in writing articles. However, sometimes even where both journalists and editors understand the issue, they choose the easier way, under the pressure of time and competition, and usually ask statements and interviews from men.

 

According to an analysis by Alina Radu, women most often appear as victims of rape and abuse, as criminals, naked or provocatively dressed, while men often appear in suits with neckties. The expert thinks this portrayals teach young girls that they can get in a magazine or on TV only by undressing, while boys are taught that they should wear suits and become businessmen or politicians.

 

In order to avoid such stereotyping, Alina Radu thinks journalists shouldn't uncover the identity of rape and abuse victims and instead focus on that of the abuser. According to her, highlighting women victims reinforces the idea that women are weak and can only be raped and abused. She encourages fellow professionals to present more stories about women in business and politics, to ensure gender balance in interviews, and to speak more often to women officials in ministries because they are good specialists, just like the men, but instead occupy lower positions while doing the most import work.

 

Alina Radu bemoans the fact that students at journalism aren't taught about the importance of respecting gender balance, while 52% of Moldova's population and 60% of higher education graduates are women. 

 

The training “Gender balanced approach in mass media” takes place on August 14-15 and is part of the Program supporting mass media in ensuring gender equality, financed by the UN “Women in Politics” Program.