Gender Equality in Media Regulation (May '22)

A webinar for knowledge exchange on how media regulation can support gender equality in and through the media. Presentations by member organisations from research or practical work in this field.

Date: 12 May 2022

Time: 15:00-16:30 CEST / 14:00-15:30 BST / 9:00-10:30 ET

Format: virtual meeting

Read the meeting report here.

Organisers:

• Fojo Media Institute (Fojo)

• Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)

Moderator: Agneta Söderberg Jacobson, Gender Advisor, Fojo Media Institute

Agenda

Welcome (15:00 - 15:10)

• Laura Becana Ball, Policy and Advocacy manager, GFMD

• Agneta Söderberg Jacobson, Gender Advisor, Fojo Media Institute

Topical overview of gender equality in media regulation and self-regulation (15:10 - 15:20)

How can gender equality and women’s freedom of expression be promoted through law and policy without infringing on media freedom? Based on key findings from Fojo Media Institute's global study.

Presenters:

• Sarah Macharia, Gender Expert, Fojo Media Institute

• Joan Barata, Media Law Expert, Stanford Cyber Policy Center

Safety of women journalists and media regulation (15:20 - 15:30)

To what extent is gender equality incorporated in mechanisms for the protection of journalists? The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity will be used as point of departure. The presentation will draw on Digital Safe House and Collaborative Platform for Women Journalists in the Philippines (digitalsafehouseph.net) - a case study collaboration between International Media Support (IMS) and the The International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWART).

Presenters:

• Colette S. Wahlqvist, Global Safety Advisor, International Media Support

• Lady Ann Salem, IAWRT Communications Officer and project lead for the Digital Safe House for Women Journalists in the Philippines

Online harassment against women journalists (15:30 - 15:40)

As part of the work of a coalition against online violence https://onlineviolenceresponsehub.org/advocacy, Free Press Unlimited is leading advocacy to establish international standards on online violence against women journalists. At present there is no global policy in this area.

Presenter:

• Flora Schulte Nordholt, Policy & Advocacy Officer, Free Press Unlimited

Sexual harassment in the (media) workplace (15:40 - 15:50)

On the development of sexual harassment policies for media organisations. WAN-IFRA will share findings from their 2021 research on sexual harassment from media professionals in 20 markets as well as case studies from their work with media partners throughout Sub Saharan Africa.

Presenters:

• Melanie Walker, Executive Director for Media Development, WAN-IFRA

• Jane Godia, Africa Director for Women in News

Discussion and Q&A (15:50 - 16:20)

Organisations and participants are invited to take the floor during the discussion to share their experiences and learnings in the gender and media regulation field

Conclusions (16:20-16:30)

For more details about this meeting see our literature review here.