This chapter, titled “Bridging the Divide,” really digs into a frustrating reality here in India: why are so few women making it to the top in our newsrooms and media houses? We see tons of bright women pouring out of journalism schools and starting their careers, but then, the ladder just seems to stop for many of them. Just look at a 2019 study by the Network of Women in Media, India, which found a paltry 18% of decision-making roles held by women. It’s not just an internal office problem; it weakens our democracy because the media ends up showing a narrower, often biased, view of the world. We are thus closely examining all of our current laws and regulations, from the basic labor laws and our founding Constitution to the POSH Act and the IT Rules of 2021, which are particular media regulations. The question is, “Are these laws actually helping women climb the ranks, or do they mostly just deal with surface-level stuff, or overt discrimination?” The ‘boys’ club’ mindset, unconscious prejudices that creep into hiring, the unfair load of home obligations that women typically shoulder, the persistent wage disparity, and the intimidating dread of harassment are just a few of the difficult, sometimes invisible hurdles that we’re delving into in addition to the legal texts. Keeping things realistic, we’re concentrating on India’s distinct fusion of regional distinctions and how caste and class further complicate these issues. This chapter is about more than just identifying issues. It involves outlining doable, realistic actions. We’re discussing everything from enacting legislation specifically targeting the media industry and requiring gender audits to advocating for more equitable hiring practices, strong anti-harassment measures, and workplaces that are really family-friendly. The main objective is to contribute to the creation of a media landscape in India that is really equitable, representative, and reflective of all people.
Keywords: Gender Parity, Media Law, Indian Newsrooms, Leadership Representation, Policy Interventions, Systemic Barriers
Dr C P Rashmi, Associate Professor, Amity School of Communications, Amity University, Bangalore
Mr Lalitank Jain, Assistant Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, IMS Noida
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