Black women are scarce in senior and top management positions in newsrooms and earn 25 percent less than their white, male counterparts, according to a report released by the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) on Thursday.
Sanef and Genderlinks conducted the audit of women and men in South African newsrooms, entitled “Glass Ceiling Two”, among nine media houses, representing some 4,364 employees, or about half of newsroom staff in the country.
The study showed an increase in women representation in newsrooms to the current 45 percent from 33 percent in 1995 and 42 percent in 2000, but the situation differs between media houses.
“The figures suggest that there has been a steady increase in the number of women in newsrooms in South Africa to the point where gender parity is being approached,” the report says.
Kaya FM and Primedia came out tops and have more than 70 percent women in their newsrooms. Kaya FM also leads the way when it comes to top and senior management, boasting 100 percent female representation.
The South African Press Association (Sapa) has about 40 percent women journalists but none in management positions, while The Citizen and Johncom have less than 20 percent women in management positions. The Mail & Guardian has 41 percent women managers and Media24 has achieved gender parity on management level. The SABC and Independent newspapers have one quarter women in top and senior management.
The average annual salary in newsrooms is about R210,000 per annum with black women earning the least at R178,404 compared to white men earning on average R236,205 and black men earning R232,534. White women earn R189,264 on average per annum.
“On average, women earn 20 percent less than men in newsrooms; and black women earn 25 percent less than white men,” the report states.
Johncom pays the highest salaries, with its male employees earning on average nearly R350,000 per annum and its female employees R250,000; followed by the SABC, Independent, Sapa and then Mail & Guardian. Media24 pays its male and female employees nearly the same (R175,000 versus about R160,000 for women). Kaya FM pays its women much more than its male employees (R160,000 for women versus about R120,000 for men) and The Citizen pays its male employees on average almost 30 percent more than it pays its female employees (R150,000 versus R110,000).
The report recommended that a Glass Ceiling Study be conducted every five years.