A recent study by Jody Santos, Meg Heckman, and Myojung Chung found that female students of color are more likely to face “violent, sexualized harassment” while reporting the news. Meg Heckman notes that the type of criticism male and female journalists receive differs and that race also shapes the type of harassment a student may hear.
This study matters beyond reasons revolving around pedagogy. It tells us about the culture of journalism itself and how norms in the newsroom and other areas of the industry may be preventing students from historically marginalized backgrounds from pursuing careers in the field.
Meg Heckman, Assistant Professor of Journalism and WGSS Affiliated Faculty
Read more about the research process and the study’s findings here.
