Challenging the Lion in its Den: Dilemmas of Gender and Media Activism in South Africa

Authors

Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh, Butler UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Publication Title

Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02560054.2010.9653412

Abstract

Media activism groups work to bring about change in the mainstream media, but their gains are often limited. Drawing on theories of the political function of news in a democracy, media sociology, and feminism, this article focuses on the specific experience of Gender Links, a Southern African gender and media organization founded in 2001. An analysis of institutional materials and 25 in-depth interviews shows that Gender Links is using a professional-technical approach to feminist media activism that is insufficient in bringing about deep and long-term change on an ideological level. It is suggested that Gender Links could benefit from more emphasis on political and countercultural approaches. The research also highlights some of the other dilemmas posed by issues related to funding, networking, the grassroots, press freedom, the profit motive, and the strong backlash from a patriarchal culture.

Rights

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies on December 1, 2010, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02560054.2010.9653412.

Recommended Citation

Geertsema-Sligh, Margaretha, "Challenging the Lion in its Den: Dilemmas of Gender and Media Activism in South Africa" (2010). Scholarship and Professional Work - Communication. 71.
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ccom_papers/71