Why Are Women Treated Differently to Men by Journalists?

Zoe Spencer

How have deep-rooted gender biases shaped the way women are treated by journalists? While men are typically questioned about their expertise and accomplishments, women are often reduced to inquiries about their appearance or personal lives, perpetuating outdated stereotypes. This imbalance is especially pronounced in sports, entertainment, and politics.

Cori Coco Gauff of USA interviewed during the French Open, Grand Slam tennis tournament on June 1, 2023 at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France.

The historically male-dominated field of journalism continues to perpetuate systemic gender biases, evidenced by the stark disparity in the questions directed at men and women. While successful men are typically questioned on their expertise, leadership, and accomplishments, successful women are often subjected to inquiries centred around their appearance and personal lives. A 2019 IWMF report revealed that 63% of women in media have encountered gender-based discrimination, with many highlighting the discrepancies in how interviews are framed. Despite progress towards a more egalitarian structure, media narratives persist in reinforcing outdated stereotypes, frequently portraying women through the lens of femininity and relationships while associating men with authority and ambition. 

This imbalance is most evident in the media’s preoccupation with women’s appearance. The #AskHerMore campaign, launched in 2014 by the Representation Project, challenges this bias by advocating for substantive questions about women’s work contributions during interviews rather than their wardrobes. A study by Cornell University found that female athletes are disproportionately asked questions unrelated to their performance compared to their male counterparts. Serena and Venus Williams frequently face questions about their weight, diet, and clothing, inspiring both sisters to publicly address the need to combat gender inequality within sports reporting. Compared to male players like Andy Murray and Roger Federer being asked solely about legacy, tactics, and performance, people often comment on other aspects of women’s performance. For example, in 2018, a reporter called out Donald Trump for suggesting Serena was “intimidated” by Maria Sharapova’s “good looks”. 

Women in the entertainment industry, unsurprisingly, face similar comments. During The Dark Knight Rises press tour, Anne Hathaway was asked about how she fit into her cat suit and about how much weight she lost for the role. Co-star Christian Bale, despite being known for his own extreme physical transformations, was questioned about the depth of his character. Scarlett Johansson has also faced hypersexualised inquiries during her press tour; after being asked about her underwear at a press conference, she remarked, “You're like the fifth person that’s asked me that today... What is going on?” Meanwhile, her male co-stars discussed their character arcs. Even the political sphere is not immune to such scrutiny. Cherie Blair, a distinguished barrister, described the relentless focus on her clothing rather than her professional accolades, forcing her to choose between meeting expectations with expensive outfits or being labelled “frumpy” by the media. These examples highlight the obsession with women’s physical appearance, reinforcing the idea that their worth is tied to aesthetics rather than intellect.

Successful women are frequently subjected to questions that reinforce deeply rooted gender stereotypes and societal expectations of palatable femininity. In 2015, tennis player Eugenie Bouchard was infamously asked by a male journalist at the Australian Open: "Can you give us a twirl?" — a request that not only trivialised her athletic performance but also highlighted the expectations placed on women. Similarly, when the first Russian astronaut cosmonaut aboard the ISS was introduced at a pre-launch press conference, she was asked if she would be bringing makeup—- an inquiry rooted in gendered expectations, and likely an unthinkable line of questioning for a male astronaut. Likewise, American gymnast Simone Biles has been questioned about maintaining grace and composure under pressure traits traditionally linked to femininity- while male athletes are primarily asked about their strategy and rigorous training. This exemplifies the broader issue of media bias in sports coverage, where female athletes are routinely framed through a lens of aesthetics over achievement. Cover the Athlete, a movement aimed at addressing the sexist portrayal of women in sports media, has sought to challenge this. 

After winning the Australian Open, Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard expressed her embarrassment after being asked "Can you give us a twirl" by a male journalist.

This bias of course extends into politics, where female politicians are scrutinised for their likeability and relatability, whereas male politicians are critiqued on policies and leadership decisions. During Theresa May’s tenure as UK Prime Minister, she frequently faced criticism for a perceived lack of warmth. She was labelled "the Maybot," while journalists posed patronising questions such as asking about the “naughtiest thing” she had ever done instead of focusing on her policies. Throughout Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns media narratives fixated on her likeability, with interviewers asking how she manages her emotions. Angela Merkel and Kamala Harris similarly faced repeated questions about their roles as women in power. To the public it seems as though, for women to succeed, they must balance competence with likeability— an expectation of course rarely placed upon men. 

The pervasive double standards surrounding success highlight the stark contrast in how male and female ambition is perceived. Men are praised for their assertiveness and determination, while women exhibiting the same traits are often labelled as “selfish,” or “a diva,” and accused of neglecting familial duties. Jacinda Ardern, upon becoming New Zealand’s Prime Minister, was immediately asked if she planned to have children, underscoring the persistent expectation that a woman’s primary role is motherhood. Theresa May and Margaret Thatcher both faced questions about balancing motherhood and political leadership. This criticism of choosing ambition over family is one male leaders rarely face. Successful women find themselves in a “catch-22”, where having no children makes them less relatable, but having children is seen to compromise their professional position. Women in STEM fields also receive media coverage that fixates on their personal lives, appearance, or parenting status. This prompted the creation of the Finkbeiner Test, which gauges whether female scientists are defined by their gender rather than their achievements. By shifting the focus from gender to scientific contributions, the Finkbeiner Test challenges the subtle biases that shape how female scientists are portrayed. It ensures that their expertise and achievements take precedence over personal details such as family life or appearance, leading to fairer, more accurate coverage. In turn, this provides stronger role models for future generations by reinforcing the idea that success in science is defined by discoveries, research, and contributions - not by gender. 

Failing to hide their views on work and motherhood, journalists have asked Jennifer Garner on multiple occasions how she balances her apparently difficult life - but do they say the same to Ben Affleck?

The entertainment industry mirrors this pattern. At Elle’s Women in Hollywood event in 2014, Jennifer Garner was constantly asked, “How do you balance work and family?”. That year, Keira Knightley pushed back on a similar inquiry by responding, “Are you going to ask all the men that tonight?”. Rihanna also pushed back against gendered assumptions during a 2014 men’s fragrance promotion when a reporter asked what she was looking for in a man. She replied, “I’m not looking for a man. Let’s start there.” Meanwhile, while celebrities like Jennifer Aniston have endured years of speculation about their choice not to have children, child-free male actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Keanu Reeves evade such scrutiny.

Women face different treatment by journalists due to ingrained societal biases, traditional gender roles, and longstanding stereotypes. These biases are perpetuated by a media landscape historically dominated by men. However, the growing presence of female journalists, media critics, and advocacy groups is challenging these outdated norms. More women are now shaping the discourse and altering the narrative by posing thought-provoking questions and challenging antiquated stereotypes. Movements such as #AskHerMore and Cover The Athlete are raising awareness of sexist practices and helping shift the conversation towards more balanced, inclusive representation.