SECTOR 2

Despite the existence of the Charter, it is obvious that the media still struggle to
assure a place for women in their programs. A study conducted by a panellist on
six daily newspapers during a two-week period revealed that of 2400 articles, only
500 discussed women. Even worse is that women are almost always absent as
information sources, with only 3 women being interviewed out of 40 interviews.
Essentially, women only appear in media programs from the perspective as
cleaners, or as rape victims. According to the conclusion of the same study, of
the 49 contributions towards ideas and debates, only three were written by
women. Panellists also noted that some women believe that taking part in the
media exposes them. Furthermore, it was noted that during a workshop with
media professionals on the improvement of the image of women, some people
indicated that “women don’t sell.”
Generally, when women reach positions in the media, they are sometimes
confined to secondary roles.

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:

1.4 (2012 = 2.6, 2009 = 4.4)

2.8 All media fairly represent the voices of society and
its minorities in its ethnic, linguistic, religious diversity.
Journalists do not always take the voice of minorities into consideration in their
work. One panellist categorically stated that there are minorities who “never
appear” in the media. In this regard, cited the case of homosexuals, as an
example. The panel did not express itself on ethnic, linguistic or religious diversity
in the treatment by the media.

88

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Côte d’Ivoire 2016

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