Discussants at a session on ‘Bridging the gender gap in media profession and reportage’, by the Report Women Network (REWON) in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) highlighted the importance of in-depth research, mentorship, networking, and intentionality in promoting women’s inclusion. The event held on Friday, 22 March 2024, to mark the 2024 international women’s month, and moderated by Abosede Adeniran-Aderemi of TVCNews, featured Lanre Arogundade, Director of the International Press Centre (IPC); Lami Sadiq, Head of Investigations, Daily Trust, and Rommy Mom, President of Lawyers Alert as panellists.
Arogundade addressed the gender gap in the private media industry, as he noted the importance of research to understand current gender representation and using data to challenge industry leaders. He also highlighted the significance of diverse perspectives, especially in editorial boards.
Although more Nigerian women journalists are shattering glass ceilings, with recent data showing a surge in their presence and success in traditionally male-dominated reporting areas, Sadiq advocated for intentionality in providing women with opportunities to cover critical and challenging beats and stories. The investigative editor at Daily Trust acknowledged the challenges women encounter, such as harassment and inadequate support systems, as she advocated for mentorship and encouragement. She urged female journalists to be self-confident, be proactive in seeking opportunities, and strive to make a difference.
For Mom, the underrepresentation of women in the media is ‘a human rights issue’. He identified women’s underrepresentation in newsrooms and the need for a National Gender Policy to tackle this. Mom reiterated the importance of data in discussing gender issues and approaching gender issues from a human rights perspective, focusing on women’s rights to representation and as role models. He advocated for the celebration of women journalists’ achievements to motivate others.
Other participants advocated for male journalists to promote gender equality in the media and that private media owners have a responsibility to promote gender equality while also respecting the autonomy of their organisations. Bimbo Oloyede, veteran Nigerian TV journalist and founder of the Women Optimum Development Foundation (WODEF), suggested that apart from existing reports, WSCIJ needs to research the female population in the media in Nigeria with a focus on women’s representation across editorial and non-editorial roles.
Olufunke Fayemi, Co-chair, REWON, celebrated the efforts and achievements of WSCIJ, led by Motunrayo Alaka. She discussed the impacts of training and support for female journalists to enhance their professional skills and propel them to excellence through the Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP), which has produced 86 fellows.
Report Women Network (REWON) is the alumnae body of the Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. Fellows of FRLP are intentional about addressing the dearth of news reports on issues of access and abuse as they affect girls and women in Nigeria and advocating for inclusiveness in their media coverage and reportage.
