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NEW NETWORK FIGHTS GENDER BIAS IN THE MEDIA

In South Africa, where black women make up 45 per cent of the population yet account for only five per cent of news sources, a coalition of organisations has launched a national network aimed at rolling back discrimination against women in the press, reports the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA).

The South African Gender and Media Network (SAGEM) has initiated its first project - an action plan to ensure that women and women's issues are better represented in the media in next year's elections. "Making Every Voice Count" will entail research, media monitoring, workshops and lobbying, MISA says.

Last week, MISA released findings from its South African Gender and Media Baseline Study, which revealed the extent to which women in South Africa are under-represented in the media. Produced in partnership with Gender Links - a Southern African organisation that promotes gender equality in the media - the study showed that black women represent only six per cent of media workers in the country, while women in general constitute just 19 per cent of all news sources.

SAGEM will form part of the regional Southern African Gender and Media Network, which will be launched at a conference in 2004.

For more information on SAGEM, contact Jude Mathurine, Information and Advocacy Officer, MISA-South Africa; Tel: +27 11 403 0206; Fax: +27 11 403 0208.

Visit:

- Gender and Media Baseline Study: http://www.misa.org/gender_study/main.html

- MISA: http://www.misa.org

- Gender Links: http://www.genderlinks.org.za/

- African Women's Media Center: http://www.awmc.com/