Breaking Bias Women Sports Journalists Forge Ahead Amid Challenges

The 87th AIPS Congress, currently underway in Rabat, Morocco, has dedicated a special panel to address the challenges faced by women sports journalists. The session focuses on the obstacles they encounter in the field and serves as a platform for experience-sharing and professional reflection. By fostering dialogue, AIPS aims to support women journalists in reaching their full potential.

In a male-dominated industry, female reporters are still often seen as outliers, and their professional competence frequently questioned. Anna Legnani, former Deputy Communications Director at World Athletics, recalled: “Some athletes, when interviewed by a female journalist in the mixed zone, avoid technical talk and give shallow answers like ‘the weather is fine’ or ‘the spectators were great.’ One athlete I admire has done this to me twice.”

This bias persists across generations. Renowned Canadian journalist Chantal Machabée was once dismissed by players and audiences simply for being a woman. Today, she is one of the most respected figures in Canadian sports media, but still underscores the ongoing fight for recognition as journalists first, not just as women.

While Paris 2024 achieved full gender parity among athletes, women sports journalists hope to see this spirit extend into the media industry. In a video message to the Gambia Sports Press Association, AIPS Vice-President Evelyn Watta emphasized the importance of inclusive coverage: “We must spotlight female athletes and report on the real issues they face.”

Gender bias may remain, but the passion and presence of women in sports journalism have become irreversible. This profession, once seen as off-limits, is now a field where women are steadily breaking barriers.