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by
Anushree A. Deshpande
Indian
society is riven with gender bias and sexism,
and this is true of every field one chooses to
consider, even journalism. Take, for example,
the way in which women politicians are written
about. Rather than comment on their political
rights or wrongs, the press seems to concentrate
more on their physical appearance, personal life
and behavior — public, or otherwise. Most
reports on women politicians comment on their
visual appeal and deportment — not their
decisions or politics.
Two examples:
1. A newsmagazine recently did a cover story on
Mayavati with the headline "Baby Elephant
Walk" — the emphasis being made, please
note, in the headline itself, to Mayavati's physique
and conduct of herself in public, rather than
her politics.
2.
Vir Sanghvi, one of India's well-known, respected
journalists, wrote an article, ("The
Chief Minister as fruitcake" which
appeared in The Hindustan Times), on Jayalalitha,
after the arrest of six journalists, in relation
to them 'insulting' her image. A wrong move on
Jayalalitha's part. But do take a look at what
Sanghvi had to say about it.
- "…the
laws of the land clearly apply only to large
women who wear capes and believe that they are
divinely blessed."
- "…the
great lady's musical, mellifluous tones"
- "…the
mild-mannered, kind and largely wonderful (or
wonderfully large, depending on your perspective)
lady"
Sanghvi
was mainly commenting on Jayalalitha's political
idiosyncrasies. Commenting on her as a person
was uncalled for.
If
this is how a senior journalist like Vir Sanghvi
denigrates women, it makes one wonder about the
extent of gender bias among journalists. If the
press, which is expected to be bias-free and gender-sensitive,
itself resorts to such blatant sexism, what can
we expect from the rest of society?
Why
is it that the same journalists never comment
on male politicians or male public figures in
the same manner? We all know several male public
figures who are not visually appealing. Why does
their physical appearance or behaviour never become
a public issue to be debated in the press? Why
is it that only female public figures attract
this kind of unwanted, uncalled for attention?
Note
from the editor:
Anushree has posed an interesting question which
we all need to think about. If you know of similar
examples from the English or regional press, do
send them to us. If you would like to share your
views on the subject, post
them on the discussion forum.
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