Q: Why do you believe The Global Report on Women in the News Media is needed?
EL: Similar to the global trend, Israeli news media have gone through significant changes in their sex occupational composition in the last thirty years. Since the 1980s, many women have entered the profession, but they are still a minority in this field. Furthermore, women in Israel are still in a disadvantaged organizational and professional position compared to their male colleagues. The news media industry in Israel went through a process of internal sex segregation, both horizontally and vertically, and men hold positions of power from which women were excluded. Few Israeli studies focused on this issue during the 1990s, but there is no updated and comprehensive study which includes all media areas. The media in Israel have been experiencing a process of institutional, organizational and professional changes in the last few years. Therefore, it would be interesting to examine the gender structure of this field at this particular stage.
Q: What impact do you think this project will have?
EL: Taking part at this global project will allow for shedding light and tracing the Israeli trends over the years. Beyond the scientific contribution, this research can also contribute to raising consciousness and will engender discussion of gender issues in Israeli news organizations. The Israeli case is of great interest because Israel has a special structure based on advanced democratic foundations that emphasize sexual equality on the one hand, and on the other, is shaped by many systems that discriminate on the basis of gender.
Q: What prepared you to oversee the research for your area of the world?
EL: In-depth acquaintance with research literature on the subject of the status of women in the news media in Israel and worldwide. Vast experience with conducting this specific kind of research on the status of women’s employment in news organizations. Part of my thesis dissertation was based on a wide survey conducted among Israeli journalists employed at ten newspapers. I have also conducted in-depth semi-constructed interviews with journalists.
Deep knowledge of the Israeli news industry, especially thanks to a study I am completing these days regarding the coverage of the local elections in Israel – November 2008. Acquaintance and contacts with a few key people in the Israeli news industry. I am very committed to women’s equity as reflected in my academic work, courses I teach and in my private life.