By IANS,
New Delhi : Far from being a male bastion, the Indian media today is employing women more and more, and the glass ceiling, for a change, is for the male fraternity, media professionals said here.
Sonia Singh, editorial director, NDTV, said almost 80 percent of the workforce at the channel comprises women.
She said in media the divide is not between the two genders but between a parent and non-parent.
“The issue that comes to the fore is that a woman who has the responsibility of a child needs to maintain a balance between her home and office, which can be challenging as the working hours in the media are erratic.”
Singh was speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Sharing Experiences by Women in Media’, organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Ladies Organisation (FLO).
Sonal Kalra, editor HT City, Hindustan Times, pointed out that in her team of 43 members, there is only one male reporter.
This in itself explains how well placed and successful women are in the media. But the most vulnerable are the young girls who enter the profession as it looks glamorous from outside, and such myths and preconceived notions need to be dispelled.
Sobha Menon, senior assistant editor, Fortune India, said, “Behind the success of women, a huge role is played by her family and husband. Women entrepreneurs are gaining ground in the media but they are dependent on family support to excel in the professional arena.”
Anshul Chaturvedi, senior editor, Delhi Times and editor of the Times of India’s supplements in North India, said that in media a hierarchy is followed which is — influence, visibility and money.
It is seen that in media women perform far better but their careers take a backseat in a family situation where they at times sacrifice their jobs for a male member of the family or for abiding by the decisions of the family.
Shilpi Arora, FLO member and chairman and managing director Garuda Advertising, emphasised that the mindset of the society needs to change with respect to women, and women must change their thought process which at times fosters narrow thinking.