PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN MEDIA

By –
10-VC-115
CONTENTS:

 Introduction
 Women and Media
a. Accessibility of mass media to women
 Types of media

a . Print
b. Film and Television
 Conclusion
INTRODUCTION

Media is all pervasive; its functioning is very subtle. Media plays a vital role in dissemination of
information. It is called the fourth pillar of democratic polity. The impact of media on our lives is a
point which does not have to be labored any longer. Radio, television, films and the printed word reach
all of us in this age of information and each strives to perfect its modes of communications to become
more effective as a medium.
The roles of various media however, have stretched far beyond the supply of information now, because
of the outreach and technological sophistication. In effect this gives them the power to create reality.
Media is shaped by existing social reality. By gradually shaping public opinion, personal beliefs and
even people's self perceptions, media influences the process of socialization and shapes ideology and
thinking.
The power of creating media reality is concentrated in the hands of a few people and their biases and
their profit motives operate in the creation of a reality which is often distorted.

WOMEN AND MEDIA

Indian society is full of diversified cultures, traditions and beliefs. Our mass media's role as a social
constructor and representative of people has greater responsibility in binding these complexities of
culture and processes with the people of the society.

The role of women in the family life has undergone significant changes. As an educated housewife, or as
a working woman she has acquired a respectable place in society. Today‘s women are increasingly
aware. Magazines especially women's magazines carry a lot of information on social issues and
personal family issues.eir biases and their profit motives operate in the creation of reality which is
often distorted.
 ACCESSIBILTY OF MEDIA TO WOMEN

The relationship between the media and about 51% of our population is a two way traffic-
the access of women to the media or the lack of it, and the cognizance by the media of
women orther absence of it.
The presence of women in media both in terms of numbers, whether absolute or in
comparison with men, and their status in terms of the position they occupy is strongly
influenced by the scene, not of their choice, but on account of the social and religious
taboos which operated as legal sanctions, and even today operate as such, in many
regions and communities, the constitution and laws not withstanding.
Even in those regions and communities where the social and religious taboos can no
longer be enforced poverty, illiteracy, discrimination and male domination keep a vast
majority of women away from the print media even as readers.
As regards the electronic media, even where the community radio and television are
available, either they are crowded out by the men, or on account of social inhibitions,
women are unable to view or listen.

Media has therefore largely come to be confined to the women in the middle and the
higher classes, whether in the rural or urban areas, and more particularly in the urban
areas- whether as passive consumers or as active players.
 PRINT MEDIA

The print media which include newspapers, periodicals, newsletters and other
channels are relied upon by the people as credible source of information,
education and entertainment. The print media are known for fearless criticism
and service.

 NEWSPAPERS

The lack of gender sensitivity in the media is evidenced in the failure to eliminate
gender-based stereotyping.
Generally, the media do not provide a balanced portrayal of women's diverse lives
and their contributions to society in a changing world, often reinforcing
stereotyped images of women and their roles in society.
It is a common Practice additionally to assess the professional success of a woman
through questions and Claims about her related to being a good mother and a
wife.
This is exactly the type of writing in the media that undermines the efforts of
activists, who aim to establish gender equality in all areas of society.
 Image of Women in Magazines

Media can be utilized for projecting the true and positive image of women and to wipe out her traditional passive image that
has been imprinted on the mind of the society as a whole, including the women. The potentiality of media as a powerful
instrument of social change has first to be used to restore 50% of the humanity to its proper pedestal. Change has to be
brought about not only in the status of women but in the attitude of the society towards them. Priority has therefore
necessarily to be given to changing image of women, from a passive onlooker and recipient, to that of a positive doer and
achiever.
The print also provides the syllabus and step-by-step instructions which help to socialize their readers into the various ages and
stages of the demanding but rewarding state of womanhood. They still define norms for what their followers should think,
say, do, wear, cook, read, explore, ignore or care about. The medium is still a message in itself and that message continues
to be that- women are uniquely different; they require separate treatment and instruction in ways that men do not. The
prints mould the opinion, thinking and the attitudes of the women as at times the position of women portrayed in articles
and stories is similar to their position in the society.
 Film and Media
 Most women in the media are very driven and determined individuals.
 Most are well educated and have perfected their craft.
 Most of the women in the media have had to overcome some type of workplace adversity.

 like they r they pulling power nd

 using female body as an art and not valuing them
 just makeing an erotic appeal and tempting audience
 using females as a toool...they r portrayal as a toool to attracct audience
 and they are the puppet for the movie
Many would agree that some strides have been made in how the media portray women in film, television and magazines,
and that the last 20 years has also seen a growth in the presence and influence of women in media behind the scenes.
Nevertheless, female stereotypes continue to thrive in the media we consume every day.

This section of the site provides a snapshot of the issues around the media’s portrayal of women and girls—from effects on
body image and self-identity to ramifications in sports and politics. It looks at the economic interests behind the
objectification and eroticization of females by the media as well as efforts to counter negative stereotyping. And it provides
the latest articles and studies that explore the ways in which media both limit and empower women and girls in society.
THE WIDESPREAD IMPACT OF DISTORTED PORTRAYALS

What impact does this kind of distortion have on the position of women in society and their
development?

The impact is different at different levels:

1 . The perpetuation of inequalities in the home-

Statistics says that women and girls are more undernourished and uncared for than men and boys.
Our media provides the necessary ideology for this to the society.

2 . Creating a distorted self-image-

Media does not only influence the social image of women but also their self-image. Most women are themselves uncritical
consumers of anti-women media. Media affects their socialization process, it influences their choices regarding what they
consume and wear, how they behave, what they learn, and to what they ultimately become.

Media is therefore not only helped women and society to redefine their own and men's roles; it has also ignored, even
trivialized whatever attempts women have made to redefine their roles, to create alternative behaviour patterns and life
styles. By doing so media has clearly discouraged the emergence of a new woman, a new man and a new relationship
between them.
3 . Reinforcing biases in development plans-

It has been already stated, media reinforces the conservative view of women and ignores their economic participation and
contribution, especially that of rural women, over 50% of whom are directly involved in economic activities, in addition
to housework and childcare. All this means that media, instead of challenging the view that women are inferior,
subservient, unimportant, reinforces it and it establishes man as the active force, the doer, the one who matters. The
needs and concerns, the problems they face are not articulated publicly, no public thinking and debates are initiated on
their real concerns. Because their concerns and interests remain unarticulated in the print, women also remain neglected.

There is indeed a 'symbolic annihilation' the consequence of a combination of condemnation, trivialization and absence as far
as communication support to women's developments in India is concerned. Mass media have a social responsibility to
promote well being of women in particular.
 CONCLUSION

The portrayal of woman in the print media is quite degrading more often than not depicting her as commercial commodity. It is
necessary that public should be motivated and sensitized to the issue of criminalization, politicization, and
commercialization of women vis-à-vis their projection in the media in a healthy manner.

Information in the print reinforces the stereotype and traditional roles of women in society. In order to enhance the status and
position of women in society the information/ messages should portray women in career oriented, lead roles and in a
holistic image, which is truly representative of Indian culture and ethos. Media is an issue is related to all women's issues
and it affects not only urban women but all women and all men. By reinforcing sex stereotypes and constantly glorifying
motherhood and sub-servient wifehood the print media makes it difficult for women to break out of these prescribed roles,
norms and behaviour patterns. Such conservative depictions reduce the few statements about sex equality and equal
participation of women contained in the Constitution to mere window dressing.

The status of women has not improved noticeably despite the government's and the media's claimabout social justice towards
women. What is needed is a wider change in the social outlook.Clearly, the media does not provide a balanced picture of
women's diverse lives and contributionsto society in a changing world. Much remains to be done with regard to the
"participation, portrayal and access of women to the media and its impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement
and empowerment of women". What our country needs in the present context are minimum regulation and more
enablement.
Thank you
10 – VC -115