Women in sports journalism: perceptions, narratives and professional and training challenges

Abstract

This article analyzes the perception and role of women in sports journalism from a double perspective: that of professional women journalists and that of social communication students. Using a mixed research approach and a concurrent design, a survey was applied to university students with preferences for the professional practice of sports journalism and a focus group was conducted with three female communicators who are experts in this field of sports media. The objective was to analyze the perceptions of professional women and students of Social Communication about the role they play and the gender barriers they face in the practice of sports journalism, a scenario hegemonically masculinized but which in recent decades has seen significant female professional participation. The findings highlight the generalized perceptions of gender discrimination, historical inequality of job opportunities and stereotypes about the professional competencies of women in the field of sports journalism. Likewise, the results show forms of resistance and empowerment of women professionals, as well as the positive impact of female referents in the new generations in training. This research concludes with recommendations for universities with faculties of Social Communication, for the media and for the design of public policies aimed at promoting and guaranteeing the participation of professional women in journalism with a gender perspective.