SECTOR 2 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.2 (2011:2.5; 2009: 2.1; 2007: n/a; 2005: n/a) 2.7 All media fairly represent the voices of both women and men. In Zambia, newsmakers tend to be men, because most decision-making positions are held by men, and these are the voices sought by journalists. The landscape is slowly shifting, with some of the new appointments made by the president, but on the whole, women remain under-represented in Zambia’s highly patriarchal society. The media most often report on politics and most politicians are male. “You can only use what is available.” A panellist noted that with regard to fairness, objectivity and balance, there are considerations beyond gender. “You find yourself in a situation where with males and females, it comes down to who’s articulating the issues.” The under-representation of women is not only visible in government, but also in the private sector. “In high positions at Zambian Breweries, there are 75 percent men and 25 percent women, so women’s voices are not heard.” Moreover, within the media, women are often portrayed as victims in news stories, and gender stereotyping is rife. “Women are represented negatively, and are predominantly featured in issues of violence, or where their nakedness is portrayed, in comparison to men.” It was noted that women are not vocal when approached for their comments. “Women are shy when it comes to speaking. When you try to interview them, they don’t speak out.” “But they’re shy because they are viewed more critically. There are some things that men say and can get away with, as opposed to women.” AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2013 37