Celebrating the SHEroes of the Philippine newsrooms, the PUP Journalism Guild (JG) hosted its first onsite edition of PeryodisTalks since the pandemic entitled “Women in Journalism: Navigating Feminism and Active Women Empowerment in the Newsroom,” at PUP Bulwagang Bonifacio on March 23.
Joined by two esteemed female journalists—UN Women Consultant and Cosmopolitan Women of Influencer 2024 lister Ms. Pola Del Monte, better known as “Miss Chief Editor,” with Senior Reporter of Daily Tribune and freelance writer Ms. Gabriela Baron. They shared their challenges on how to deal with intimidation, a patriarchal workplace, and some significant experiences of being a woman in a newsroom.
Women’s Empowerment in Alternative Media
Baron shared the importance of women not just in dominant or mainstream media, but especially in alternative media, where more than half of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) members are women.
“Mas marami ang kababaihan na bumoboses ay mas marami rin ‘yung mga kwento ng kababaihan na naihahayag natin, naisusulat natin, at ang nai-po-produce natin,” Baron pointed.
She also added that using a gender-sensitive approach is crucial in framing women as “it is always the perpetrator and not the victim” in writing articles about them.
To break the chain, Baron pointed out that women’s dignity should not be degraded as they must not be displayed as vulnerable and weak by using imagery of women as helpless victims.
Baron noted that violence against women stories are hardly found in the media, and these stories are published more than usual during Women’s Month only.
“Araw-araw may mga pinagdadaanan ang mga kababaihan pero hindi naman na pu-publicize at nalalagay sa mainstream media. Women’s issues and interests are toned down when it comes to national media.”
When questioned about how women can deal with intimidation, Baron asserted that beyond professionalism, female journalists ought to be unyielding yet not risk an effort in life-threatening situations as there is no story worth the life of a journalist.
Feminism in Media
Del Monte opened her discussion about how white feminism dominates in most media around the world, emphasizing that feminism should not only be about white women.
“Kung titignan natin ang feminism is [centered] to whites, it excludes people of colors, muslim women, nuns… So we have to consider white supremacy. Capitalism, and colonization, ang laking factor sa estado ng mga kababaihan.”
She also talked about how “lipstick beats,” or lifestyle and culture coverages written by women journalists, are perceived as inferior to other sections of a publication.
“Inferior ba [ang lifestyle] dahil women’s issue ang tinatalakay natin? And because of the lack of coverage sa women’s issues, hindi nabibigyan ng sound ang mga babae. Ang lipstick beat ay importante rin ‘yan because we also document how people live.”
During the round table discussion with Del Monte, she emphasized that championing femininity in media and journalism is about going out of one's way to make opportunities and collaborate with other women, especially in newsrooms.
When asked about the gender gap in journalism, Del Monte answered that women journalists should negotiate and assert their value in media spaces. She also advised young women to pursue a career in media.
“Please, keep on writing. Whatever your calling is, do not stop writing… ’yung pinaka-important din na sasabihin ko is, the goal of feminism is not to eradicate men, but eradicate toxic masculinity.”
Del Monte also affirmed that to stand for women’s empowerment has a long way to go as patriarchy is unceasing, yet to continue fighting for it to pave the way for the future generation.
Meanwhile, JG President Gerie Consolacion expressed her gratitude for the success of the onsite edition of PeryodisTalks, as this has been the platform to continue to fight despite the challenge of stereotypes against women.
Article: Alexandra Uy & Joanna Martinez
Graphics: Aldreich Pascual