Gender and the news industry: why it's important to focus on mainstream newspapers

In her blog post, Allyson Zimmerman identifies the press as a site where stereotypical representations of women leaders are circulated. Drawing on research undertaken by Catalyst, Zimmerman discusses the importance of a focus on gendered stereotyping to further understand women’s exclusion from leadership positions. This resonates with the argument put forward by Helena Liu, Leanne Cutcher and David Grant, who draw attention to the role of the news media in constructing a notion of leadership that relies on and reinforces gendered societal norms and expectations. This stigmatises women as less capable leaders, especially unsuitable in uncertain times.