by Sandra Lábova
In today’s world, where information flows faster than ever before, editorial leadership plays a critical role in shaping news content and media direction. Yet a close look at the gender structure of these senior editorial positions reveals an unrelenting reality: women remain significantly underrepresented in senior roles in newsrooms at leading online and offline media outlets around the world.
The results of the study “Women in News Media Leadership 2024: Evidence from 12 Markets” reveal a disturbing picture. Despite the fact that women make up an average of 40% of journalists in these markets, only 24% of the 174 senior editors at 240 titles are women. Yet this indicator may suggest slow progress towards better gender equality in editorial leadership. In 2023, only 22% of women were in the same positions.
The study was conducted by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in 2024. It analysed the gender structure of senior editorial positions in a strategic sample of 240 leading media outlets across 12 different markets on five continents.
Global trends and variability
On the other hand, the study also reveals that only 24% of the 33 new senior editors appointed over the past year are women, indicating a continuing trend of male dominance in the selection of editorial positions. Moreover, this gender imbalance is evident in all 12 markets studied, even in countries where women predominate among working journalists.
Moreover, the percentage of women in senior editorial positions varies significantly from market to market, ranging from 0% in Japan to 43% in the United States. While some countries have made progress towards gender equality in newsroom leadership, others are lagging behind, which may point to a complex interaction of cultural, social and institutional factors influencing gender dynamics in journalism.
When examining the correlation between the percentage of women working in journalism and the representation of women in senior editorial positions, a weak positive correlation emerges. However, this correlation does not necessarily imply causation, and differences persist in 11 of the 12 markets examined, where lower percentages of women occupy senior editorial roles compared to their representation in the broader journalism workforce.
Further, the study finds that there is no correlation between gender equality in society, as measured by the United Nations Gender Inequality Index (UN GII), and the percentage of women in senior editorial positions within the markets studied. This suggests that gender dynamics in journalism are influenced by specific factors that transcend broader societal patterns of inequality.
An interesting finding is the significant variation in the percentage of online news users who access content on female-led news portals. Countries such as Finland boast a high rate of visits to female-led news portals. Countries like Mexico and Japan, on the other hand, show significantly lower rates. According to the study’s authors, this may indicate differences in media consumption patterns that merit further exploration.
Perspectives on achieving gender equality
Thus, despite some progress in recent years, achieving gender parity in senior editorial positions remains a distant goal. A linear projection based on current trends suggests that gender equality may not be achieved until 2074. However, addressing gender inequalities in editorial leadership requires a multifactorial approach that goes beyond mere numerical representation. It involves challenging entrenched biases, removing structural barriers and building inclusive cultures that enable women to thrive and lead in journalism.
While initiatives to promote diversity, equality and inclusion have increasingly gained traction in recent years, it is becoming clear that surface interventions alone are not enough to achieve meaningful change. The industry must confront systemic inequalities and commit to sustainable practices that create pathways for women to advance into leadership positions.
Based on the results of the study, it is clear that achieving gender parity in newsroom leadership is not just a matter of fairness, but is essential to ensuring diverse perspectives and voices in the media landscape. The road ahead may be long and difficult, but it is imperative that we continue to press for progress and hold ourselves accountable for achieving a more equitable future for journalism.
This article was first published by EJO