Sexism in Journalism.

A woman’s face is scrutinised for looking somewhat different than a comparative photo taken thirteen years ago. A woman is ‘scandalous’ for allowing personal and intimate photographs to be taken and shared worldwide as a consequence. Sound familiar? If you’ve logged onto the likes to Facebook, Twitter or even picked up a newspaper over the past few weeks, I’m pretty certain it will do.

And this, my friends, is what we call journalism today. ‘Breakthrough’ news is Renee Zellweger, for daring to step out onto the red carpet makeup free, or Jennifer Lawrence sharing consent with her then partner to take nude photos which are then leaked by an unknown hacker. But the list doesn’t stop there, as I’m sure you’re aware. 

Take, for example, the Daily Mail and their notorious ‘side bar of shame,’ which is littered with articles that are an abundance of ‘pins’ ‘bikini bodies’ and ‘letting herself go.’ I find it highly unnerving to walk through my local shop to see magazines plastered with images that should cause apparent ‘shame’ for not fitting into this specific status quo of what the DM would assert as a ‘toned’ or ‘trim’ appearance. 

Amal Clooney, a renowned human rights lawyer, is frequently commented upon for her sense of fashion and beauty looks, thus leaving her personal achievements unnoticed. Indeed, even her recent marriage to George Clooney lead to news outlets commenting upon how he had ‘finally settled down’ in an attempt to generate sympathy for his ‘bygone’ bachelor days. And, believe it or not, women journalists are somewhat to blame for continuing to create and publish such articles that both degrade them and perpetuate the idea that their worth nothing more than their appearance. You only need pick up a magazine to witness how women write articles that promote the fad diet of the week, or how to make sure you don't make the disaster inducing decision or wearing those jeans that make your bum look big, because that's a woman's sole purpose in life; to look attractive and conform to the expectations of others. 

So, the question is, why do we feel the need to use a woman’s physicality as means of a discussion? If anything, the widespread media coverage of these two particular women can act somewhat as a reflection of a society whose preoccupation with a woman’s body has become relentless. 

In a time where fighting for equality and recognition beyond our most noticeable ‘assets,’ press content should reflect on more pressing issues, not if a woman has aged (heaven forbid) or whether she wore the right shoes with that skirt.