South Africa has a free press and very robust media that holds power to account and tells the stories that matter. The diverse platforms from print to TV, radio and online give the public more choices and opportunities to consume information that concerns them and the country.
Behind the scenes, however, women journalists working on the ground and in the boardrooms feel that the sector needs more transformation and equality.
Nozintombi Mia, who has been in the field for 18 years said that while journalism is a rewarding and thrilling career, it is also very challenging and competitive. Speaking of her experiences, she said that compared to her male colleagues, she feels she has to work twice as hard to prove herself and show that her work is on the same level as theirs.
“Very early on, I realised that there was a lot of competitiveness. I had to learn how to be competitive not just with other females but with the males, competitive with our competitors. It is an extremely competitive space.”
“It hasn’t been easy – there has to be a lot more transformation in our media space.”
She added that women in the media also earn less than their male colleagues.
“Financially, we females are earning 30% less than our male counterparts and we are putting in double the amount of work because you have to prove that you are not a weak female. You have to prove that you are a hardworking female. You have to do twice as much work as the males just to prove that you’re on the same level. Then obviously comes the perception that you are hard-hearted, cold-hearted, you are all business and no-play.”
Another issue that takes centre stage is the safety of women journalists which is a topic that has received much attention.
The 2024 Digital News Report stated that in South Africa women journalists are at the forefront of harassment.
“Harassment of journalists – online and physically – continues to increase, with women journalists experiencing the brunt of this.”
The South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF) has also weighed in, saying they were ‘horrified’ by the growing trend, which appeared to be aimed at stopping journalists from reporting on important stories.
A journalist at the Mail & Guardian interviewed by frayintermedia and who asked not to be named, said that when she is on the ground, reporting on stories, she worries for her safety especially when she is around strangers. She added that it’s not just about the profession, though, it’s just the experience of being a woman in South Africa.
“You are always worried about your safety,” she said.
“You can’t be free,” she added.
She said she always has to keep her guard up and maintain boundaries so that the men that she encounters don’t get a wrong idea.
Nozintombi Mia believes women need to be celebrated more for their hard work.
“We need to laud our women more. We need to value our journalists more because we’re going in there, we’re taking no prisoners and we’re holding people accountable. We are literally … helping to change our country one step at a time and I think it’s about time we’re acknowledged for that, we are paid fairly for that and we’re treated fairly.”
Content Writer