Where have all the young men gone?

1. Where have all the young men gone? Research into gender imbalance In tertiary journalism classes Yvonne Densem Course Leader – Broadcast Journalism New Zealand Broadcasting School, CPIT New Zealand Broadcasting School

2. Why this study? • Six years on selection panel • Few males in my classes • Industry discussions • Lack of literature • Research for degree

3. Focus groups • 26 students in three groups • Male and female students • Secondary Media Studies classes • Tertiary media courses

4. Questionnaires • 280 students • 118 males, 162 females • Questions included • Describe the career of journalism • Perceptions • Salary • Qualities of a journalist • Role models

5. The numbers Males not considering journalism describe it as • Interesting 58% • Serious 20% • Difficult 13% • Fun 5% • Perceived gender balance • 24% of males considering journalism believe most journalists to be male • Only 8% of males not considering the career agree • Blokey? • 79% said no

6. Perceptions Female journalists:  intelligent, determined and credible  serious and good-looking Male journalists  intelligent, determined  serious

7. Male role models

8. Female role models

9. The Findings • Perceptions based mainly on TV • Males don’t like what they see • Serious and not much fun • Not ‘blokey’ • News is negative, dull, light and prescribed • Sport