In the Balance is a resource center for journalists, to help them make their reporting more inclusive of women’s perspectives and voices, and more representative of the world we live in by applying a gender-lens approach.

Just like a lens can help the eye see better, a “gender lens” allows us to consider the powers at play that have to do with gender in any given situation. Applied to journalism, this means taking into account how gender affects people and events at all stages of producing a news story, to ensure a fuller, more nuanced picture, and richer, more informative news where the audience feels included.

It seems like the most obvious step to take, but we all know it can be tough to find new, credible sources. Luckily, there is a growing number of databases indexing women experts. We’ve put together a list of some of those, as well as a list of helpful grassroots initiatives and organizations for you. Maybe it’ll spark some ideas, and help save you some time.

Oftentimes, research is reported on for a main finding that is deemed newsworthy at one time. But nested in reports and studies are details and bits of information that can spark an idea for a story. Want to start digging? We have a selection for you on a variety of topics to get you started exploring how gender intesects with all beats.

Many journalists all over the world have been doing this work for years. Yet, gender-sensitive journalism remains underrecognized and sometimes, even, misunderstood. To help you get a more concrete sense of what it means to apply the gender lens throughout different stages of the journalistic process, we compiled some advice from renowned reporters and editors.

Untold Stories: Experts’ POVs> View all articles

Nathalie Weidhase (© University of Surrey)

Why We Should Be Paying Closer Attention to Pop Culture

Untold stories

A conversation with British researcher Nathalie Weidhase on gender in popular culture and media, and what role journalism plays in how women see themselves.

Lisa Falco

Lisa Falco on the Gender Data Gap, Health, and AI Bias

Untold stories

The Swiss data scientist has been working on healthcare technology for a decade and a half. In this discussion with her, we covered the basics — from what data actually is to why it’s so important — before getting into the specifics of the gender data gap in medicine and in tech.

Sophie Knowles

Gender in Economic News: How We Can Help Close the Gap(s)

Untold stories

Researcher and senior lecturer Sophie Knowles specializes in economic journalism. Amid several projects on how economics, news and gender intersect, she discusses why the economy is one of the less inclusive beats and what journalists and media organizations can actively do about it.

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Peer-to-Peer: Hear from experienced journalists> Access all episodes

Our “Peer-to-Peer” series is back! In this first episode of season 2, we talk about gender journalism and it means in 2023 with the editor of “Impact,” a newsletter at the intersection of politics and gender.

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The award-winning science journalist and author tells about the steps he’s taken to make his stories more inclusive, and how that fundamentally changed his reporting over the past eight years. He also shares some of what he has learned telling the stories of women amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The editor-in-chief of independent Afghan news outlet Zan Times tells us about how the project started in 2022 and how it operates today, with women journalists reporting on the field, under the Taliban rule.

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Gender in the News: Analyses & Examples> View all articles

Miriam Wells

Why Impact Should Be at the Heart of the Newsroom

In the Newsroom

Impact editor Miriam Wells has contributed to shifting the newsroom culture at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism to embed impact at every stage of the editorial process. She explains how strategizing for impact is a game-changer, and shares some tips.

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From left to right, top to bottom: Francesca Donner, Mariya Shahsawar, Pamela Morinière and Haanya Malik

2022: A Turning Point for Women in the News?

In the Newsroom

Afghan reporters Mariya Shahsawar and Haanya Malik, US-based editor Francesca Donner, and French gender expert on media and head of Communications at the International Federation of Journalists Pamela Morinière reflect on the past year and what it means for the future of journalism.

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Hot Off the Press: Women & Economic News

In the Newsroom

Here’s a selection of pieces that caught our attention in relation to “women and economic news,” our focus theme in January 2023.

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Newsletter: The gender lens in action, one theme at a time> View all newsletters

Not to be all doom and gloom, but the next pandemic might be right around the corner, experts warn – it’s “inevitable.” We’ve heard of Disease X in the last few months, and although no clear global threat has been identified for now (despite the current worldwide cholera outbreaks), the world isn’t equipped to face another global pandemic quite yet.

It’s tough when, in the wake of an election where populism triumphs, we’re reminded how big of a role and responsibility journalism holds in what happens in society. We might avoid thinking about it on the daily or even somehow momentarily forget, but when the results of a ballot are confirmed, we have to face the facts: The news industry played a part in this outcome.

2024 is an election year in over 80 countries. Nearly half the global population has already voted or is expected to in the next eight months. Whether local, national, or international, these ballots are connected to the broader world context. While the top concerns for potential electors seem to be inflation, poverty, and social inequality, many politicians have chosen to put migration (once again) on their list of priorities when campaigning.


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Data & Reports: Follow the thread> View all articles

(Source: The Global Media Monitoring Project)

Women in Politics: Does the News Perpetuate Misrepresentation?

Data & Studies

 

Since 1995, there has been a growing number of women running for office, getting elected or designated as representatives. Let’s take a look at how the representation of women in politics and in political news evolved over the years.

(Source: The Global Media Monitoring Project)

As Seen in the News: Women & Pop Culture

Data & Studies

A look at how much the news covers popular culture, and what place is given to women in these spaces.

Economy in the News: Why Is It a Man’s World?

Data & Studies

Want to dig deeper for good data and stories? Here’s are three trustworthy sources around gender in business news.


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