News Anchor's take on Women's Equality Day and females in Broadcast Journalism
We've come a long way. That's something I have to remind myself of as a woman in broadcast journalism. I've faced it all. I've been called "a cute intern" in the field during the early years of my career, I've been "cat-called" during live reports and many times I have felt that people care more about my outfit, hair and makeup than they do the actual content of my reports. Many women I've encountered throughout my career share similar stories. It's a reality we face in the industry as females.
As I've accumulated more experience in local news, the disparities between men and women in the field have become easier to detect. But instead of focusing on the challenges female journalists face, I can't help but to feel thankful for the true female pioneers in broadcasting who have made those challenges easier to endure.
The evolution of women in journalism was made possible by women like Dorothy Fuldheim; known as Televisions first female anchor on the local level. Barbra Walters entered into the national spotlight working her way on-air to become the first female co-host of The Today Show. Now, Today has two very accomplished anchors leading the show. Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie are among many other women continuing to shatter the glass ceiling paving the way for other women working in broadcast journalism. I'm almost certain all of these women have faced similar situations.
What I take away from these impactful women though is their perseverance and willingness to push the boundaries to be different. While being a strong storyteller, well researched and prepared will always be crucial to the industry, adapting quickly and fearlessly to the ever changing forms of media are equally important.
From the digital end of a newsroom, streaming, and social media- the one time linear form of TV news is a concept of the past. The emphasis put on "web extras" and "social media updates" add to the already demanding workload. This, however, presents an opportunity for women in journalism to stand out.
I caught on to this concept early on after completing my Master's in Communication Technology with a Social Media Specialization. When social media is used correctly, you have the power as a local news anchor or reporter, to reach national and international audiences. Anyone can view your content at any time. The challenge here, in my experience, is utilizing the platforms in a way that will appeal to all audiences.
Like I stated at the beginning of this article, people can be quick to cast judgment on female broadcasters and that's only amplified online. The general news audience seems to take well to fun segments on-air. Many national morning news programs become more like an entertainment show as the hours go on. After the hard news is delivered in the early hours, anchors can show off their personality and the audience gets a glimpse of who they really are.
I personally try to take this same approach on my own social media accounts that have racked up more followers than I could have ever imagined as a morning news anchor in Fresno, California. It also stirs up a lot of conversation. Why? Well, a female news anchor reporting and posting about hard news who also does all the trending videos online is, to my understanding, "unique". To me, it's no different than what we do on air. We deliver the hard news on our morning show and we ask the tough questions. By the time the "C" or "D block" comes around, we're usually laughing about a fun story! We're people. We're human. We are women with real personalities, real emotions and some would say a real knack for social media!
While the new age of journalism can be tough to navigate, I'm proud of the women making a difference on this Women's Equality Day. It's a privilege to be working as a woman in this field following the lead of so many accomplished females who have helped to pave the way.
We must remember to be fearless, support other women in broadcast journalism and continue to advocate for women in the field. Together, as we've seen over the last several decades, we can accomplish anything!