Gender And Career Visibility Amongst Female Journalists in Selected National Newspapers In Lagos State, Nigeria

doi:10.7176/jcsd/66-07

Abstract

This study investigated gender and career visibility amongst female journalists in selected national newspapers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Stated differently, the research aimed at establishing the visibility level of female practicing journalists not just in number but positions occupied by them in the print media industry. Situated within the framework of Socio-cultural Theory and Gender Development, the study adopted the in-depth interview method and survey method. A sample of 57 respondents was selected from the 7 commonly known national newspaper organisations in Lagos State, Nigeria. For the survey aspect, 17 out of 57 Questionnaire was compiled through google survey while the remaining 40 were collected physically by the researcher. However, data were collected using a semi- structured interview guide for the in-depth interview. Findings indicated that there is a large difference in the number and positions occupied by both practicing gender in the print media and the above difference is as a result of one’s passion, dedication, efficiency and result produced in term of number of bylines. Also, the distribution in the category of both soft and hard news is based on one’s preference or interest of writing. In addition, some of the issues raised as factors limiting their career visibility were marriage, family, tradition, security issues amongst others. The study recommended, among others, that adequate security should be provided for the female practicing journalists who has shown interest and persistence in digging out relevant information from a dangerous environment. Keywords: Gender, Career, Visibility, Journalists. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/66-07 Publication date: November 30th 2021

Highlights

This research focused on gender and career visibility amongst female journalists in the print media industry
Could there be a reason behind the above results? Could this be same in the print media because the global media monitoring project survey carried out on gender dimension of news during the global pandemic, has shown that there was a slight increase in the number of females read and heard about on online, television and radio media but the survey carried out by the global media monitoring project 2020 did not showcase a figure on the gender dimension of news in the print media unlike the survey carried out by the gmmp in 2015 (Gmmp-reports, 2020)
Considering the aim of this research, which is to get the views of both female journalists and editors in Lagos State on ascertaining the role of gender in career visibility amongst female journalists in selected Nigerian national dailies, it was deemed necessary by the researcher during the period of investigation to collect both quantitative and qualitative data sequentially in accordance with the chosen research design

Summary

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The following objectives guided the study

The method is proved to be the most convenient and effective method of studies in the Social Sciences as Communication and media; and in this case, gender issues amongst female journalists This method will lead to the proper validation of the research results, but is aimed at deepening and widening one's understanding of the phenomenon, resulting to substantial and reliable conclusion. Considering the aim of this research, which is to get the views of both female journalists and editors in Lagos State on ascertaining the role of gender in career visibility amongst female journalists in selected Nigerian national dailies, it was deemed necessary by the researcher during the period of investigation to collect both quantitative and qualitative data sequentially in accordance with the chosen research design. Presentation of Survey Findings Frequency and Percentage Distribution of Respondents on Socio-Demographic Characteristics

Religion

Findings

Conclusion & Recommendations