Equality, journalism and career development among Finnish women journalists

This research examines why equality is not realised in journalism even though official education policy emphasises equality as something to be pursued. The core question in the research is whether the topics of news – the content, form and language – would change if women were to reach a situation in which, as reporters and in leading positions, they could exert more influence over the content than at present. This question will be approached in two subsidiary studies: 1) by investigating possible differences between the male and female relationships to journalism, above all to its ideals and practices, parlance and language; 2) by scrutinising the career development of female journalists and the recruitment of female leaders in Finnish journalism.

Partner: Helsingin Sanomat Foundation

Duration: 2007–2009

Publications:

The interim report of the research project in English: Subscribing to a woman editor-inchief? Female and male editors’ views on the impact of gender on careers.

The abstract of the main results of the project: Equality, journalism and the career progress of Finnish women journalists (June 21, 2010)