During the second stage of the monitoring, which lasted from April 2-12, 2024, the expert group of the Lviv Press Club analyzed the materials of ten hyperlocal media in Lviv region. In particular, the sample included four print media outlets (Volia Narodu, Holos Vidrodzhennia, Narodna Dumka, Novyny Prybuzhzhya) and six online media outlets (Varto – Halytski Novyny, Holos Sokalshchyny, Zolochiv.net, Media. Drohobychchyna”, ”Rayon. Morshyn, Yavoriv.info).
According to the data obtained, 768 materials were analyzed, including 165 in print and 603 in online media.
The purpose of the monitoring is to determine the level of gender sensitivity of local media, namely the ratio of female experts, heroes, the number of feminine characters in texts, and the presence of stereotypical and sexist content in journalistic materials. In addition, publications on gender issues were monitored.
In April, compared to February, the number of war-related stories decreased by 8%. In particular, the share of such publications in online media was 41% and 31% in newspapers.
As usual, April’s war-related publications were dominated by operational reports from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the frontlines, the consequences of massive missile attacks, the deaths and awards of soldiers, and volunteer assistance to the front. Unfortunately, the number of news items about attempts and schemes to escape abroad by conscripts has increased.
The newspaper “Novyny Prybuzhzhya” focused the most on covering military issues – 55%. Almost half of the publications about the war (out of the total number of materials) were on the websites Zolochiv.net and Varto-Halytski Novyny – 48% each. The least coverage of the war was given to the newspaper Narodna Dumka (23%).
Women gave explanations or commented on war-related topics in 29% of cases in print media and 12% in online media. In particular, women MPs commented on the draft law on mobilization, officials of the Ministry of Defense explained the reservation and status of “limitedly fit” and demobilization of conscripts, representatives of international organizations and partner countries spoke about military assistance to Ukraine.
Women were featured as heroines in 22% of cases in print media and 33% in online media. These were mostly references to relatives of fallen soldiers (wives, daughters, mothers). Some of the reports about women-heroines were related to stories about volunteering and charity.
The newspaper “Novynya Prybuzhzhya” published an extensive interview with a servicewoman, Sergeant Olha Bilyk: “I believe in Ukraine and its Victory!”. The interviewee shares her combat experience and reflections on the role of women in wartime.
Compared to the previous monitoring month, the percentage of female experts in hyperlocal media decreased by 7%, while the share of female protagonists, on the contrary, increased by 7% and 5% (30% and 36.5%, respectively).
In newspaper articles, women most often commented on crime (100%). In particular, it was about illegal crossing of the border by persons liable for military service and schemes in the MCC and TCC. Women’s expert opinion was also often sought in the areas of medicine (67%) and culture (60%). There was parity between female and male experts in the topic of volunteering, and between female and male heroes in the topic of education (50% and 50% respectively).
The highest percentage of female heroes was in publications about culture (47%) and sports (46%).
Women were completely absent as experts in the topics of sports and education, and as heroines in the topic of war (0%).
The highest rate of experts and heroines was in the newspaper “Volya Narodu” (44% and 46% respectively) – we note an almost balanced number of women and men, while the lowest percentage of women as experts was in the newspaper “Narodna Dumka” (25%) and as heroines – in the newspaper “Novyny Prybuzhzhya” (17%).
In April, the percentage of feminine terms in print media decreased by 6% compared to the previous monitoring period (90%).
For the second month in a row, no masculinitives were observed in the newspaper “Voice of the Renaissance” (100%), and the parity of feminine and masculine terms of 50/50 was recorded by experts in the newspaper “Novyny Prybuzhzhya”.
Thus, in April 2024, the most gender-sensitive print media (in terms of gender balance and the number of feminine articles) were the newspapers Volya Narodu and Holos Vidrodzhennia (58%). The newspaper Novyny Prybuzhzhya again has the lowest rate (32%).
In April, women experts were most often quoted in hyperlocal online media in the areas of culture (67%), crime (60%), education (58%), and medicine (572%). There were no women experts in sports at all (0%).
Women as heroines prevailed in journalistic materials about education (71%), economics (67%), sports (59%), and medicine (58%). There were no mentions of female heroines in publications on the environment (0%).
The leader in terms of the balanced number of women as heroines and experts and men as heroes and experts was the website “Holos Sokalshchyny” (45% of experts and 44% of heroines).
The lowest number of women as heroines was recorded on the website “Varto – Halytski Novyny” (10%), and women experts on the website “Yavoriv.info” (14%).
In April, the use of feminine pronouns in online media decreased in the same way as in print media (90%). And this is despite the fact that three websites did not use any masculinitives in April – Yavoriv.info, Zolochiv.net, and Varto-Halychski Novyny – 100% of femininitives.
In April 2024, among the hyperlocal media in Lviv region, the highest gender sensitivity index was recorded by the website Holos Sokaliny (60%), and the lowest by Zolochiv.net (45%).
In April, no stereotypical or sexist content was found in the materials of both print and online media.
As for the thematic publications, the website “Holos Sokalshchyny” published an article about the annual awarding of the “Woman 2023” prize according to the international glossy magazine “Business Woman”. This year, the award for courage and dedication in the struggle for Ukraine’s independence was given to Maria Pukhalyk, a border guard of the Lviv detachment.
The online publication “Morshyn. Rayon” told about the visit to Lviv of the wives of the heads of Ukrainian cities from Kharkiv, Kherson, Rivne, and Lviv regions. The participants got acquainted with the social, medical, and cultural projects of the city. Kateryna Kit-Sadova, the wife of the mayor of Lviv, presented various spheres of life in Lviv in the context of the full-scale invasion.
The newspaper Narodna Dumka #12 of April 4 published “Coordinated Steps to Counteract Domestic Violence”. The newspaper’s readers were told about the results of a meeting of the Coordination Council on Preventing and Combating Domestic Violence, Gender-Based Violence and Human Trafficking.
According to the results of the monitoring, the Gender Sensitivity Index of the Lviv region’s media in April 2024 was 53%. You can read the general monitoring data of publications in 24 regions of Ukraine (infographics) on the website of the Volyn Press Club and Facebook page.
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The gender monitoring is part of the project “Gender-Sensitive Space of Modern Journalism” implemented by the Volyn Press Club in partnership with the Gender Center of Volyn Region, the Independent Public Network of Press Clubs of Ukraine and Media Organizations with the support of the Media Program in Ukraine (Internews).
What is gender sensitivity?
Gender sensitivity in the media refers to the practice of taking into account gender differences and peculiarities in the creation, distribution and analysis of media content. It is a key aspect of modern journalism and media production that aims to promote equality, eliminate stereotypes, and provide a more objective and complete representation of people of different genders.
Gender sensitivity is the ability to recognize the impact of gender issues on society and reflect this in media products. It implies the rejection of gender stereotypes that can reinforce discrimination and inequality, and emphasizes the need to balance gender perspectives in media content.
Why is gender sensitivity important for the media?
Promoting equality: Gender-sensitive media can help change traditional perceptions of the role of the sexes in society by promoting ideas of equality and justice.
Reflecting reality: Media play a significant role in shaping public perceptions. A truthful and unbiased portrayal of different genders contributes to a deeper understanding and mutual respect between people.
Combating discrimination: Eliminating stereotypes and practicing gender sensitivity in the media can reduce discriminatory attitudes and behaviors in society.
How can media be gender sensitive?
Diversity in portrayal: Ensure equal representation of women and men in different roles and situations, from news stories to entertainment programs.
Language and tone: Use gender-neutral language and avoid language that may reinforce gender stereotypes.
Themes and personalities: Include stories that address gender issues and involve experts of both sexes in their discussion.
Training of journalists: Education and training for journalists and media professionals so that they can better understand and effectively cover gender issues.
Gender sensitivity in the media is not just an ethical dimension, but also a practical way to make media content more objective, informative and relevant to the needs of modern society. This contributes to a more harmonious and equal society, where everyone can feel important and fully included.