Major Journalist Survey launched by Women in Journalism and Man Bites Dog

Women in Journalism and Man Bites Dog are calling for journalists to take part in one of the largest studies of gender diversity in UK journalism ever conducted.  

The survey aims to find answers to how the lives of women in the profession have changed, whether or not they have more power in editorial decision-making, whether the media’s use of female subject matter experts has grown or decreased, and what the impact of the pandemic has been on women. 

WIJ is the UK’s leading campaigning, networking and training organisation for female journalists and mentors over 100 journalists a year and runs online and real events with high- profile women in the media. Its chair, Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips, said: “There has rarely been a more important time for good journalism. And yet the pressures on journalism – particularly for women – continue to grow. This survey will give us a deeper understanding of what’s really going on in the UK media and how best we can support those journalists working within it.” 

Women in Journalism is partnering with global thought leadership consultancy, Man Bites Dog, on the study. Man Bites Dog’s Founder and CEO Claire Mason said: “Man Bites Dog is campaigning to close the Gender Say Gap – the underrepresentation of women and diverse experts in business and public life. This study is critical in establishing the role of female journalists in deciding whose stories are told, how women are represented as leaders and experts, and shaping a more inclusive news and policy agenda.” 

The survey, created by WIJ and Man Bites Dog and supported by business research organisation, Coleman Parkes, is targeted at male and female journalists working in all areas and levels of the industry. The survey will be distributed to WIJ’s 900+ members and to 30,000 subscribers to the PR software and services company, CISION, which is also supporting the campaign. 

If you are a journalist, you can take part in the survey here: https://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/p482065095026.aspx?ISID=1