Sexual harassment in newsrooms
World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA) says that “sexual harassment remains a persistent feature of media workplaces worldwide with one in three people surveyed experiencing some form of harassment”. The organisation refers to a “worldwide” survey comprising 21 countries but not including the US, Canada or any country in Latin America. From Europe, only Ukraine is included.
The study says that 29% of people working in media experience some form of sexual harassment but that 69% of those who experienced harassment did not report it.
The survey covers 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab region, Southeast Asia and Ukraine. It was made by WAN-IFRA Women in News, City St George’s, University of London, and BBC Media Action.
When harassment was reported, organisations took action only in 65% of cases, most often through limited or informal measures.
“Globally, women are 2.4 times more likely than men to experience verbal sexual harassment and 1.8 times more likely to experience online sexual harassment. Experiences of physical harassment and rape are lower but remain consistent threats. A quarter of all respondents report instances of physical harassment, with 5% of women and 4% of men citing they are rape survivors.”
The study draws on responses from more than 2 800 media employees. Respondents span a wide range of roles, including journalism, administration, HR, production, marketing, and management, offering a comprehensive picture of how harassment is experienced across media organisations.
The report says that fear of retaliation, lack of trusted reporting mechanisms, and low confidence in organisational response remain key reasons why harassment is not reported.
The report says that findings highlight significant variation across regions. “Prevalence rates remain highest in Africa (33%) and the Arab Region (31%), compared with 19% in Southeast Asia and 12% in Ukraine.
“Underreporting sexual harassment reflects a lack of trust in reporting systems and signals an overall acceptance of violence in newsrooms”, says Dr Lindsey Blumell, City St George’s, University of London.
“We hope this report will help inform organisational action and leadership practices in individual newsrooms and across the media sector, as well as policy and advocacy – contributing to safer, more inclusive, and equitable media institutions”, says Valeria Perasso, Media Development Advisor at BBC Media Action.
“Media organisations must invest in sustained awareness raising, training, and sensitisation at all levels of the newsroom to help shift workplace cultures, strengthen reporting mechanisms, and ensure harassment is recognised, addressed, and not normalised. Safer and more equitable media workplaces are essential to building stronger, more inclusive, and resilient journalism”, says Susan Makore, Managing Director, WAN-IFRA Women in News.
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
