When it comes to media coverage of violence against women reaches ‘dismal’ low, report finds, recent research reveals a concerning trend in media coverage of violence against women and girls, indicating a significant drop in reporting on misogynistic abuse. Despite numerous high-profile cases and an alarming rise in AI-assisted violence against women, the proportion of articles addressing these issues has plummeted to just 1.3% of all online news by 2025, marking the lowest level in recent years.
Understanding Media Coverage Of Violence Against Women Reaches ‘dismal’ Low, Report Finds
A comprehensive analysis of over 1.14 billion online stories published worldwide from 2017 to 2025 highlights a grim reality. The peak of coverage occurred in 2018 during the height of the #MeToo movement, where articles addressing misogynistic violence reached 2.2%. In stark contrast, the most recent figures show a drop to 1.3% globally, with Africa experiencing a nine-year low of 1.18% in 2024 despite widespread reports of sexual violence in conflict zones. This dismal decline has left many experts alarmed. Originally reported by The Guardian.
"It is shocking, particularly considering the scale of the problem and the ways in which violence against women and misogyny have been weaponised by authoritarian actors as part of the rollback of rights," said Professor Julie Posetti, chair of the Centre for Journalism and Democracy at City St George's, University of London. She emphasized that this shift signifies a failure of the press to adequately address these critical issues.
Misrepresentation in High-Profile Cases
The report, which provides the first global overview of its kind, scrutinized coverage related to Jeffrey Epstein from 2017 to February 2026. Out of nearly one million articles connected to Epstein, only 0.1% mentioned the term "violence against women." In contrast, a substantial 25% of articles referenced "victims," and 26% discussed themes of "power," "money," "elites," or "corruption." This gap in coverage illustrates a tendency to overlook the structural nature of misogyny, leading to a lack of understanding of the deep-rooted issues contributing to gender-based violence.
Luba Kassova, lead author of the report, noted, "What we concluded by doing this analysis is that the gender-inequality lens is all but missing from coverage of the Epstein story. This means that news coverage does not get to the root causes of the problem." The failure to highlight these issues raises concerns about the media's role in fostering awareness and understanding of gender-based violence.
Global Context and Urgent Need for Change
Statistics indicate that one in nine women globally has experienced violence from men in the past year, while one in three women has faced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. The reality may be even more severe, given the stigma that often prevents victims from coming forward. As digital spaces expand, so do the methods for perpetrating gender-based violence, with research suggesting that up to 60% of women worldwide have encountered online abuse.
When media outlets do cover issues related to misogyny, the narratives often reflect a male-centric perspective. The research found that men are quoted 1.5 times more than women in stories about misogyny. Sarah Macharia from the Global Media Monitoring Project highlighted that when these stories do appear, they often perpetuate harmful stereotypes: "These stories hardly ever appear and when they do, we have seen that it is a male voice that prevails." This trend not only skews public understanding but also reinforces harmful societal attitudes toward gender-based violence.
Recommendations for Media Reform
In light of these troubling findings, the report suggests several strategies to enhance media coverage of violence against women. One key recommendation is to place female journalists and editors in pivotal roles to help shape narratives. Additionally, it advocates for centering the voices of victims and survivors in reporting, ensuring that their experiences guide the conversation. When covering high-profile cases, media outlets should aim to explain the underlying causes of abuse, focusing on the systemic gender inequalities that contribute to the problem.
As society grapples with the ongoing crisis of violence against women, the media's role in shaping public perception and awareness becomes increasingly critical. By adopting a more nuanced and inclusive approach, the press can better serve its audience and contribute to meaningful change.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.