Women in leadership positions within the media industry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the situation of women in leadership positions within the broadcasting industry in Malta. It investigates whether the opportunity exists for women to sustain leadership posts within the industry. It focuses on feminist theory (Gallagher, 2001) that the media is still hierarchical dominated by males, which gives emphasis not only to the increase of percentage of women present in the media, but rather in the meanings and significance given to their participation in the media. Another question which is explored is whether women encounter any barriers in achieving a hierarchical position within the broadcasting industry. This research also focuses on whether media content would be any different, that is if there would be a change to gendered balanced media content, if there had to be women at the helm of the industry. The in-depth interviews and expert interviews provided the results which demonstrate that women suffer vertical segregation since leadership is still perceived as a male credential. Findings also revealed that although there is an increase of women who have joined the industry, they still find it difficult in smashing the glass ceiling in such a patriarchal hierarchy structures that exists within the broadcasting industry. The invisibility of women in top positions is evident. The study identifies the cultural barriers and obstacles women are restrained with in attaining leadership occupation because of the social structural and economic environment that still constrains women's choices (Hakim, 2003). It also depicts the social constructed leadership practices perceived as the norm in order to be trusted in leadership position within the broadcasting industry. The study discloses essential awareness and clarifies the importance of women working in audiovisual industry of being gender sensitised towards their colleagues and also towards the TV audiences.