The Women’s Media Center: The Status of Women in the U.S. Media 2013

Media influence is one of the most powerful economic and cultural forces today.  By deciding who gets to talk, what shapes the debate, who writes, and what is important enough to report, media shape our understanding of who we are and what we can be.

The problem is that we only rarely use half of our talent and usually hear half of the story.

This report shines a light on the status of women in media and underscores the crucial need to hold media accountable for an equal voice and equal participation.

Introduction and Methods

This report summarizes the most recent available statistical data on:

• Representation of women in media occupations associated with determining content of news
• Representation of women in media occupations associated with determining content of television and film entertainment
• Gender equity in literature reviews
• How women are depicted on entertainment television and film
• Women in obituaries
• Women and digital news consumption
• How women's issues, female journalists and newsmakers fared during the 2012 presidential election
• Representation of women for online-only sites and in video games
• Recommendations to news organizations, producers and interview bookers

 The Status of Women in the U.S. Media 2013 report consists of a meta-analysis of stories, studies, data and issues that affect women and media. The author compiled, reviewed and analyzed the latest quantitative and qualitative data and research on women and media, and conducted interviews.

The Status of Women in the U.S. Media 2013

Read last year's report: The Status of Women in the U.S. Media 2012