The recipe for a positive step forward in journalism, in addition to difficult challenges and facing injustices, but also the role of women in making political decisions or in any other field, is presented by Migena Gorenca.
She is Chief Editor of the Second television programming service MTV2 and according to her, unfortunately the practice shows that „expertise “is mostly required by male experts, while women further remain in the shadows from media aspect.
She says that neither public service nor the private media are not exception regarding this issue, and this can be seen in the news programs where male opinions prevail.
How does mass media in our country, especially the public service plays an important role in supporting equal participation of women in political and public decision-making?
Gorenca: Media should play an important role in supporting the equal participation of women in political decision-making or in any field. Unfortunately, the practice shows that „expertise “is mostly required by male experts, while women further remain in the shadows from media aspect. Neither public service nor the private media are not exception regarding this issue, and this can be seen in the news programs where male opinions prevail, and the same happens in the largest number of cases in TV debates, where the opinion of female experts is rarely taken on “hard debate topics”, while women are mostly involved in the media if the event/topic mainly deals with more subtle matters.
Do you educate as second television programming service about the importance of women’s participation in social and political life?
Gorenca: Declaratively, we all are committed to gender equality, even in the gender inclusion of critical thinking or in relation to experts. Actually MTV 2 does not have a specific show that would be dedicated to achievements of women, however we try to maintain a gender equality in the current shows as far as possible.
How balanced is the participation and interests of women in your daily work?
Gorenca: It’s not always possible to maintain gender equality, especially when it comes to journalistic reports in the newsroom. The percentages show that the opinions of male experts are more reflected on the screen. As I mentioned above, besides cases where women politicians appear at press conferences, or because it is now more actual, the prosecutor’s office has changed in recent years in favor of ladies, and gender equality of women in this field is increasingly becoming a part of media reporting. In other cases, women’s opinion, is usually is taken more on topics related to environment, social issues or similar, respectively on topics that are considered to be more ‘’for women’’.
Are positive examples of women’s activism and political participation broadcast in the media, and why do you think they are needed?
Gorenca: MTV 2 gives its best, especially in the ‘’Motive’’ show, as our leitmotif is to convey the achievements of women in various spheres of life as often as possible. However, there is a general lack of media space for the political activism of women, who, to be honest, are also brought out by the parties as frontman, only when there is a heated political atmosphere, probably to reduce political tensions.
Do we care about gender equality and non-discrimination?
Gorenca: Not enough. Of course, no one discriminates the opinion of female politicians or experts, but from the start, when it comes to getting specific expertise for a certain event, the first names on the list of experts that each newsroom has, mainly belong to the male gender.
How much is talked in the media about community projects, initiated and led by women?
Gorenca: In this regard, the female voice is louder. Perhaps because when talking about projects for the benefit of the community, it is claimed that women, since they are able to lead their families, are able to think more logically about the community as well. And when it comes to such projects, of course the first experts who come to mind to discuss such a problem are women. That’s why I emphasized it earlier, even in the media, perhaps unintentionally, in subconscious, there is still an opinion that there are man’s issues and women’s issues, and everyone should keep „their rightful place“.
Should the cultural-entertainment programs be increased, such as films, documentaries… to raise awareness of the importance of women’s active participation
Gorenca: Yes, of course. As I also said in Pristina at an international conference some time ago, if women are able to educate their children, thus influencing a well-educated society, they role should definitely be recognized by and through the media, and by society. I think that at the moment women are valued less than they deserve. Specific shows would probably influence things to change.
How can the media help eradicate negative attitudes towards women’s political and civic participation?
Gorenca: Starting with full control of media content, especially fake news or arranged news (especially on portals social media platforms) with a purpose to reduce and devalue the true role of women in society, and participation of women in politics. Drawing the line for gender equality on all involved who provide expert opinion on all issues. And undoubtedly through making public the many examples of success of those thousands of women in our country who do not have their ‘’place’’ only in kitchen, but know how to make great policies, run successful companies, make court decisions without influence, save people’s life and why not, to be housewives and raise successful children who will make the whole country proud of them tomorrow.
