KATHMANDU, May 9: A study conducted recently has shown that the number of women journalists covering foreign affairs and security is dismal in Nepal even as there is significant participation of women journalist in Nepali media.

A Study on the Status of Nepali Women Journalists Covering Foreign Affairs conducted by Media Advocacy Group (MAG) with the support of US Embassy in Kathmandu has shown that only 13.3 percent women journalists are engaged in political beats while this is limited to just 6.6 percent on issues related to foreign affairs and national security reporting. This study report was prepared after conducting an online survey among 500 women journalists working across the country.

Regarding the status of participation of women journalists in foreign affairs reporting, only 2.9 percent of respondents considered that women journalists have high status in foreign affairs and security reporting, while 24.3 percent claimed it to be moderate and a huge majority of respondents shared that women journalists have less status in foreign and security affairs reporting.

The study has also tried to find out the reasons behind the less representation of women in foreign affairs and security reporting. According to the study, 23.6 percent of those surveyed respondents shared that gender stereotypes and gender biases in media are the main reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in foreign affairs reporting and diplomacy. Similarly, 19.8 percent of respondents claimed that it was the lack of interest and knowledge in foreign affairs reporting, while 16 percent others considered foreign affairs reporting to be more challenging than other beats.

The study also highlighted the fact that low representation of women journalists across Nepali media was directly linked with the low representation of women journalists in foreign affairs and security reporting. Over 15 percent respondents argued that low representation of women journalists in media was the main reason behind this situation, according to the study.

Interestingly, 13.2 percent women journalists claimed that senior management does not trust women reporters in foreign affairs reporting, while 6.6 percent others claimed that foreign affairs reporting required tremendous effort, time and dedication with the same payment as in other beat reporting. “Some 2.8 percent believed that proficiency in English language also affected the interest to cover foreign affairs among women journalists,” states the report.

The study, however, reveals that an overwhelming number of women journalists are interested in covering foreign affairs and security. “Some 85.6 percent respondent showed their interest in pursuing a media career in foreign and security affairs reporting. While 7.7 percent women journalists showed no interest, 6.7 percent respondents were not sure whether they would further their career in foreign and security affairs reporting,” said MAG Chairperson Babita Basnet, while presenting the findings of the reporting during the report’s launch event organized on Monday.

Addressing the function organized to launch the report, President of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Bipul Pokharel and former FNJ President Dr Mahendra Bista lauded the efforts of MAG to conduct study and work towards promoting participation of women journalists in foreign affairs and national security reporting.

Also addressing the function, US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson said appreciated the efforts of the MAG. He also that the US Embassy has been supporting journalists through various programs such as grant, fellowship, reporting tours and that the funding was made available to MAG through Sustainable Pathway to Women Journalists.

Ambassador Thompson said that the grant given to MAG also funds five fellowships to women journalists for a year. The envoy also highlighted the need to fight against misinformation and disinformation as they have brought negative outcomes to the society and the country as a whole.

Also, addressing the function, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma assured that the government is ready to extend all necessary support to enhance skills of women journalists in the country. She also said that preparations are underway to establish Mass Media Academy to enhance the skills of journalists.

 
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