'Hitting the glass ceiling' – gender and media management in sub-saharan africa. (7th October 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: ZUIDERVELD, MARIA
• Is Part Of: Journal of African media studies. Volume 3:Number 3(2011)
• Page Start: 401
• Page End: 415
• Publication Date: 2011-10-07
• Subjects: Mass media -- Africa -- Periodicals; Communication -- Africa -- Periodicals; Africa -- Social life and customs -- Periodicals; 302.23096
• DOI: 10.1386/jams.3.3.401_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-199X

Abstract

The aim of this study is to discuss the importance of gender in editorial leadership in African countries. Women in leading positions in the media industry work in a traditionally male-dominated area. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with five women on their work in media management in Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria and Ethiopia in order to explore how a group of female media managers in a non-western setting manage both their gendered identity and their identity as media professionals. This study challenges a western-based understanding of the role of gender in newsroom cultures. Pierre Bourdieu's concept of capital is used as an analytical instrument. The study suggests that female gender is regarded as a positive capital, which contradicts other studies of women in media management. Another conclusion is that the 'velvet ghetto' is spreading, as women in journalism receive low salaries, if any.