Media Bias for Women in Politics

Media Bias for Women in Politics

By: Hannah Modesto

go!

Next

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the various challenges women in the political arena face in media. By examining media examples, this presentation aims to shed light on subtle and not-so-subtle forms of sexism that undermine women's contributions and position in politics. Through this analysis, we seek to understand the impact of media bias, and the portrayal of feminine issues, and the discrediting of women in political roles.

Media Bias Study by Utah Women and Leadership Project

Next

An article written by Cassidy Wixon analyzes a study done by the Utah Women and Leadership Project that focuses on media coverage of female candidates in Utah’s major newspapers that reveals sexism with prevailing unconscious bias that unfavorable influences the portrayal of women in politics. It found that the media disproportionately focused on traditionally feminine issues and personal aspects such as family life, and physical appearance rather than qualifications and leadership abilities.

50%

of articles mentioned a female candidates political and educational background

Next

Relevant Data from Study by Utah Women and Leadership Project

33%

of articles called out gender in candidates which minimizes the capabilities, experience, and knowledge of female politicians

"Women in Politics: An Analysis of Personal Characteristics Leading to Success in Gaining Local Elective Office"

Next

Rombough and Keithly's analysis reveals that women encounter structural barriers while engaging in politics. An obstacle that most female candidates encounter is the unequal media attention they receive in comparison to their male counterparts in the realm of politics. Additionally, the media tends to prioritize the visibility of women candidates rather than highlighting their perspectives on significant issues. Furthermore, the article asserts that the portrayal of women in the media undermines their suitability as candidates.

Kamala Harris

Next

+ info

The 2020 election coverage of Senator Kamala Harris, as detailed by Rebecca Morin in USA Today, highlighted significant biases. Being the first Black woman and Asian woman to be included on a major party's presidential ticket, and then becoming the first female vice president with a diverse background, Harris encountered a distinct media landscape. 25% of the media used racist or sexist stereotypes, frequently portraying her as "uncooperative" or "ambitious" in a negative manner. In contrast to prior elections, where there was less emphasis on the gender and race of male candidates, the media coverage of Harris was significantly skewed towards highlighting her gender, race, and heritage. Specifically, 61% of the coverage mentioned her gender and race. Moreover, the survey highlighted a concerning dependence on the "angry black woman" stereotype and occurrences of excessive sexualization or doubt about her qualifications, which indicate deeply ingrained biases and stereotypes towards women of color in positions of power. (Morin, 2020)

Kamala Harris: Media Bias on Fox

This other example shows that women in politics are often subject to misogynistic comments by journalists which often diminishes a women candidate's viability.

Guest: “Kamala — ” Tucker Carlson: “Because it’s —” Guest “No, no it’s —” Tucker Carlson: “Kamala Harris.” Guest: “No, not whatever.”

Tucker Carlson: “So I’m disrespecting her by mispronouncing her name unintentionally. So it begins. You’re not allowed to criticize Kahmahla Harris or Camala Harris or whatever —”

-Fox News

+ VIEW VIDEO

Next

In 2019, Representative Katie Hill resigned from Congress due to nude photos that were published by the Daily Mail and allegations she had a romantic relationship with a campaign staffer prior to being in Congress. She left due to the harassment and the misogynistic culture that capitalized on her sexuality (Los Angeles Times, 2021). Furthermore, this incident was used to discredit her as a politician.

Rep. Illhan Omar & Rep. Katie Hill

Next

A study was done by the Wilson Center that looked at online harassment targeting female politicians. In media coverage, women of color may be subjected to deep-rooted false narratives. An example of this can be shown when Donald Trump stated to the media, "Omar who came in here and married her brother or something and came here illegally." This statement spreads disinformation to viewers of the media which can ultimately hurt the candidate's reputation. (Los Angeles Times, 2021)

Hilary Clinton

Next

+ VIEW VIDEO

In 2016, Hilary Clinton ran for President of the United States against Republican candidate Donald Trump. At a charity dinner where both Clinton and Trump were in attendance, Trump referred to Hilary being a "Very Nasty Woman". Additionally, Trump made remarks about how he got to "meet the people working so hard to get Clinton elected-working overtime-" while pointing to the heads of NBC, CNN, CBS, ABC, New York Times, and Washington Post. These remarks/jokes made by Trump highlight the fact that media bias very much still exists when covering women candidates for political elections. It also goes to show that women running in elections do not get the media coverage they deserve which is influenced by the heads of various news media outlets.

Nikki Haley

Next

+ VIEW VIDEO

The 2024 Presidential Election is coming up this year and one of the presidential candidates for the Republican party is Nikki Haley who served as a former governor of South Carolina and is a United Nations ambassador. NBC News and MSNBC Correspondent Shaq Brewster went out to the streets of North Carolina and asked a citizen if he would consider Nikki Haley for President. In his response, he told Brewster, "A woman's not gonna be a good president. She's got no balls to scratch. She's just gonna scratch her head. All a woman's good for in my book is having babies and taking care of the house and that's the old thing but I'm old school." "I mean females.... don't get me wrong, females know what they are doing but still got to have a bit of guidance." The citizen even stated to Brewster that they should not broadcast what he had to say, but NBC did it anyway. Furthermore, the statements made by the citizen adhere to gender stereotypes and extreme sexism. At the end of the day, people still have these traditional gender role ideals that influence their vote for a candidate, even if they agree with the female candidate's perspective on critical issues.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Next

In an interview with Stephen Colbert, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded to a provocative question about her disregard for senior Democratic colleagues' advice with a metaphorical "zero," indicating no concern. This response was sensationalized by media outlets with headlines that suggested she used profane language, focusing on her saying she gives "zero f-cks" about pushback from other Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the coverage for not only misrepresenting her words but also for playing into stereotypical and negative portrayals of women, particularly women of color, in leadership roles. She highlighted how such media practices contribute to a biased narrative that frames women leaders as unlikeable, irrational, or overly emotional, underscoring the double standards in media coverage between male and female politicians. (Adams, 2019)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Next

In a speech on the House floor, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addressed a sexist attack by Republican Representative Yoho, who aggressively insulted her in front of reporters and on the Capitol steps. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted this incident as emblematic of the broader sexist challenges women face in politics and beyond, emphasizing the pervasive culture that tolerates and even supports the use of violent and demeaning language against women. She pointed out that such behavior is not isolated but part of a systemic issue, where women, including herself, regularly encounter harassment and sexist remarks, demonstrating the cultural acceptance of undermining women through such attacks.

• To address the problem of online abuse for women in politics, there must be effort from social media platforms, legislators, and employers which ultimately creates an equal opportunity to participate in democracy (Los Angeles Times, 2021)

• Journalists can promote fairer coverage of political candidates by refraining from emphasizing identity in routine reporting, actively refuting political attacks based on racism and sexism, employing gender-neutral language, and seeking input from independent experts on gender, race, and representation whenever feasible. (McShane, 2020)

What are the Solutions for Media Bias & Harrassment?

• Increasing awareness and training on unconscious bias among journalists and the public can lead to more equitable and balanced media coverage. Furthermore, advocating for a focus on female candidates' qualifications and leadership abilities improves their representation in media, highlighting the need for broader recognition of women's leadership beyond gendered stereotypes. (Wixom, 2021)

Next

References

Next

Next

References

Next

References

The coverage of Kamala Harris during the 2020 election frequently incorporated racist and sexist stereotypes, including characterizations of her as "uncooperative" and "unlikeable." The use of the "angry black woman" trope, rooted in racism and sexism from the reconstruction era, aimed to dehumanize Black women and uphold white womanhood by portraying Harris as irrational and overly aggressive. This portrayal not only undermined Harris's candidacy but also served to dismiss and devalue her contributions to the political landscape. (McShane, 2020)