Balancing in the Playing Field:Perception of Both Men and Women Sports
Reporters onGender Equity in Philippine Print Sports
Journalism
A THESIS PRESENTED IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCESIN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN JOURNALISM
By
Analou C. De VeraJerica V. dela Cruz
Rachele Cherrie May S. Echevarria
LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY- MANILA
OCTOBER, 2014
CHAPTER I
THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
This chapter provides an overview of the study. It contains the
following; Background of the Study, Rationale, Statement of the
Problem, Theoretical Framework, Conceptual and Operational
Framework, Hypotheses and Assumption of the Study, Scope and
Limitations of the Study, Significance of the Study and lastly,
the Definition of terms.
Introduction
Equality is one of the essential human rights. The issue on
gender balance has long been a subject of debate and is
considered as one of the challenges both male and female
journalists is experiencing- resisting the common stereotypes
reflected by the cultural norm.
Gender Equality is defined as “the concept that all human beings, both men
and women, are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the
limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles and prejudices. Gender equality means
that the different behaviour, aspirations and needs of women and men are considered
valued and favoured equally (Geneva ILO Manual, 2005, pg. 48).”
The fixed images rooted in the cultural context of every region
has deeply established prejudices and biases that pose as a great
challenge in every journalists and the media itself
(International Federation of Journalists, 2009).
Historically speaking, journalism is traditionally a male
dominated field, particularly in the world of sports. Since
sports is highly viewed as a field for masculines with its
content primarily focuses on the interests of the male, it is
said that this field is largely been preserved “for men, about men
and by men” (Toro, 2005). But through the years, with the attempt
of breaking the barriers of gender biases, women start to be seen
on this male dominated field of journalism.
The considerable growth and involvement of female journalists on
the athletics field has guaranteed them a spot in the field of
sports media. But because of social stereotypes in women, female
journalists is continued to be challenged.
The Philippines have a long history of adapting a patriarchy
system as influence by various colonizers in the past. In the
workplace, men are typically in charge or hold the highest
authority over women.
The country is still struggling to close the gender gap in the
workplace and achieve gender equity that leads to equality of
both men and women in the so called “male dominated field,”
particularly in the world of sports journalism.
Gender Equity is described as “Gender equity means fairness of treatment for
women and men, according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment
or treatment that is different but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights,
benefits, obligations and opportunities (Geneva, 2005, pg. 48).”
This study was pursued by the researchers to add to the growing
research about the gender equity in sports journalism.
Cast within the framework of Stand Point Theory, this
quantitative study will explore the perceptions of sports
journalists on the issue of gender equity in the Philippine
sports print media, with the help of the three major broadsheets
namely; the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star and Manila
Bulletin, wherein the researchers will get the participants for
this study.
Background of the Study
The study will particularly focus into the perception on gender
equity on Philippine Print Industry in Sports Journalism.
Gender Equity is the set of actions and resources equally
distributed to both genders, male and female. This helps to
provide opportunities to the individuals and ensures everyone to
achieve social, psychological and physical benefits.
Achieving Gender Equity is needed to have a sustainable
development. All individuals have their own gender roles yet due
to gender-based disparities glass-ceiling effect exist. One of these
disparities is income disparity which is linked to job
stratification. Glass-ceiling effect is considered an invisible
but real barrier through which the next level of advancement can
be seen. It implies that gender or other disadvantages are
stronger at the top of the hierarchy than at lower levels and
that these disadvantages become worse later in a person’s career.
Moreover, Philippine Sports Print industry is a form of writing
that reports on sporting topics and games. It is an essential
element in news media organization. Sports writing is one of the
difficult fields when it comes to the journalistic writing yet it
has always been the hottest, next to the news which is the most
important. A kind of reporting that begins from the blast of
victory up to the throes of defeat, sports stories are all about
the all-too human drama of competition and courage.
Sports is definitely an athletics thing and it was obvious that
is was dominated by male. This study will discuss weather sport
journalism especially when it comes in print industry are also
dominated by male or it just that male journalist suits best for
this kind of job.
There will be three broadsheets where the researchers will get
the participants. The broadsheets are all based in Metro Manila;
Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star,
for these are the top broadsheets in the Philippines.
The Manila Bulletin
The Manila Bulletin was first established as The Manila Daily
Bulletin from 1906 to September 23, 1972 and the Bulletin Today
from November 22, 1972 to March 10, 1986.
It is known as the Philippines' largest broadsheet newspaper when
it comes to circulation, which was followed by the Philippine
Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star. It bills itself as "The
Philippines' Leading National Newspaper", also as its official
slogan.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Daily Inquirer is undeniably now the country’s most
widely read newspaper. With over 2.7 million nationwide readers
daily, it enjoys a market share of over 50% and tops the
readership surveys.
The PDI started its publication with less than P1 million as its
seed money. Its prime issue had been published on December 9,
1985 wherein it sold 30,000 copies.
The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star was the front runner newspaper of the Star
Group of Publications. It is owned and published by Philstar
Daily Inc. The STAR's journalistic principle is anchored on the
Biblical motto, Truth Shall Prevail.
The veteran journalists Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte, and Art
Borjal founded The Philippine STAR on 28 July 1986 which is a few
months after the EDSA Revolution that overturn the strongman
Ferdinand Marcos and propelled Corazon Aquino to the Philippine
presidency.
The said newspapers can give the researchers the current state of
the Philippine Print Industry among the gender equity when it
comes to sports journalism.
Rationale of the Study
The study’s main objective is; to determine the perception of
both male and female sports reporters on gender equity in the
field of Philippine Print Sports Journalism in this contemporary
society.
In association with the main objective stated, the following sub-
objectives shall also be covered:
1. To figure out the profile of the sport journalist in terms
of:
a. Gender
b. Education
c. Age
2. To find-out the hiring practices of the three broadsheet
companies for their reporters working in their sports
department.
3. To identify the qualifications of the three broadsheet
companies when it comes in hiring a sports reporter.
4. To find out the differences in assignment opportunities
given between male and female journalist in the sports
departments of the three broadsheet companies.
5. To determine if there is discernment among male and female
sports journalists in terms of:
a. Sports beat assignments
b. Incentives and benefits
c. Promotions
d. Tenure
6. To assess the effect of the perception of the sports
journalists in the Print Media Journalism.
Statement of the Problem
The researchers shall determine the views of sports journalists,
whether the existence of gender equality in the field of sports
Journalism in the Philippines in this contemporary society is
occurring or not.
Hence, this research study has formulated the main problem: What
are the perceptions of both male and female journalists on the
gender equality in the Philippine print sports journalism.
In association with the main problem, the following sub problems
shall also be examined:
1. What are the total numbers of sports journalists, both male
and female, working in the respective sports department of
the three broadsheet companies?
2. What are the hiring practices and qualifications observed by
the three broadsheet companies in employing sports
journalists?
3. How does work or assignment opportunities differ from male
and female sports journalists?
4. What are the experiences of both male and female sports
journalists in covering sports related assignments or
stories?
5. How the perception of the sports journalists about gender
equality affects the Philippine sports journalism industry?
Theoretical Framework
The Theoretical Framework linked to this study is the Stand Point
Theory. This theory explains the ideas of both the dominant and
the dominated occupy perspectives; the dominated are much more
successfully placed to achieve a standpoint. According to this
approach, the mass media are controlled by the dominant class in
society which uses it as a vehicle for exerting control over the
rest of society.
Standpoint Theory was conceived by the sociologist and feminist
Dorothy Smith who defined the idea as “what one knows is affected
by where one stands (one’s subject position) in society.” She
argued that the only way that we can see the world around us is
through one lens and that is out standpoint.” She breaks this
theory’s definition down into three parts: there is no objective
knowledge, no two people have the same exact view, and we should
not take our personal standpoint for granted. She conceived this
theory due to her personal experiences in sociology as the
discipline was created by white, middle-class, males who only saw
their own relevance in society. She argued that their failure to
realize that they were creating a masculine discipline made the
field bias as it excluded women and their standpoints. (Soc
Theory; Departm ent of Sociology, Occidental College)
Smith proposed that there is no such objective knowledge, for
that each person has their own perceptions about things.
Perceptions that happened to came between the material of
experiences, power of society, which afterwards serves as the
effects of power relations on the production of knowledge.
Another was Nancy Hartsock who defined the theory as "At bottom
feminism is a mode of analysis, a method of approaching life and
politics, rather than a set of political conclusions about the
oppression of women" (1981, 35). The power of feminist method,
she asserts, grows out of the fact that it enables us to connect
everyday life with the analysis of the social institutions that
shape that life (36). "The concept of a standpoint rests on the
fact that there are some perspectives on society from which,
however well-intentioned one may be, the real relations of humans
with each other and with the natural world are not visible.”
(Chicago Journals; Truth and Method: Feminist Standpoint Theory
Revisited of Susan Hekman)
This theory highlights the tension inherent in her concept of
reality- in a sense widening the fault line in that concept.
Hartsock appeals to object-relation theory; an offshoot of
psychoanalytic theory that emphasizes interpersonal relations,
primarily in the family and especially between mother and child
in which used to explain the difference between the male and
female experiences of the world. (Chicago Journals; Truth and
Method: Feminist Standpoint Theory Revisited of Susan Hekman)
Therefore, the Stand Point Theory distributes how one’s
perception can change the perspective of another person in which
later can affects the society and resulted as a dynasty of a
particular party.
Objective KnowledgePower of the Society
Production of Knowledge
Personal PerceptionContrasting ViewsTraditionDynasty
Object-relation Reality
Through this theory, this study can have a square deal on
understanding the gender imbalance among Philippine Print
Industry specifically on sports journalism.
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1: Conceptual Paradigm
The conceptual framework was based on the combined understanding
of the researchers on the Stand Point Theory of Dorothy Smith and
Nancy Hartsock. That according to Smith Objective Knowledge;
instead it’s either Personal Perception or the Contrasting View,
no two people have the same exact view, and that personal
standpoint shouldn’t take for granted.
Hence, the Power of the Society refers to the tradition and
current dynasty of the place; the existence of the distribution
of power and influence, how a particular governing party ripens
and became a dynasty after a period of time.
Finally, the barrier between Object-relation Theory which happens
to be a hold back of a person to someone’s perception and upon
the identification of reality, the reality wherein someone or a
particular group already became the dominant, it is the product
of knowledge.
The three states in the Conceptual Paradigm lead the researches
on how they can unbiasedly categories and balance the perception
of both men and women sports reporters regarding gender equity in
sports print media.
Hypothesis of the Study
This section provides the tentative answers of the researchers
that can arise in the research.
Null Hypothesis
The existence of gender equality is not observed in the
Philippine print sports Journalism.
Alternative Hypothesis
The existence of gender equality is observed in the Philippine
print sports Journalism.
Significance of the Study
This section substantiates the purpose of the study to various
recipients who could possibly benefit from it. The researchers
found this study significant for the following reasons;
1. It will help the Philippine Sports Print Industry in
determining the perceived views of sports journalists on the
issue of gender equity in the field of sports journalism in
the Philippines.
2. The result of this study will also help raise the awareness
of sports print media organizations to further improve the
work environment of sports reporters that is beneficial to
both sexes.
3. The views of the respondents will provide a glimpse on the
current situation of both women and men reporters working in
the sports department of the Philippine print media.
4. The result of this study could provide a concrete picture to
aspiring sports journalists on what to expect when entering
the world of Philippine Sports Journalism, since this study
elaborates the state of equality and the work experiences of
both gender.
5. This study shall also serve as a future reference for
researchers who would also want to delve in the issue of
equity circling in the sports journalism in the Philippines
in accordance to the perceptions of sports reporters.
6. And finally, this study shall serve as awareness for
different news organization in the country when it comes in
pursuing the equality in the field of sports reporting.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study falls under Philippine Sports Journalism and mainly
focuses on the perception of both men and women sports reporters
on the issue of gender equity in the field of sports journalism.
It shall cover journalism practitioners, specifically editors,
columnists and reporters from the following newspaper broadsheet
companies located in Metro Manila namely; The Philippine Daily
Inquirer, The Philippine Star and Manila Bulletin.
This research study shall only involve the Philippine Print
Media. Issues on work ethics and the credibility of male and
female reporters are no longer included in the scope of the study
but rather, the researchers decided to include these subject
matters in the recommendation part for future studies.
Definition of Terms
Gender. Refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors,
activities and attributes that a given society considers
appropriate for men and women.
Gender Equity. Refers to the fairness and justice in the
distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and
men
Stereotype. Refers to the fixed image of a person or group.
Glass-ceiling Effect. Refers to as a political term used to
describe "the unseen, yet unbreakable barrier that keeps
minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the
corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or
achievements."
Gender Bias. Refers to the uneven treatment among male and female
in a particular organization. A. Coercive Control. Refers to the
power in using a force in gaining compliance. B. Consensual
Control. Refers to the decision of one’s perception that is based
on general agreement among all members of a group.
Sports Reporters. Refers to the people who were assigned to cover
and have a write-up about a particular sports event.
Sports Journalism. Refers to a form of writing that reports on
sporting topics and games.
Sports Beats. Refers to as the assigned task among sports
reporters.
Incentives and Benefits. Refers to as a reward offered for a
greater effort and increased productivity.
Promotion. Refers to as a advancement in rank or position.
Tenure. Refers to as the period or term granted to an employee,
usually after a probationary period, indicating that the position
or employment is permanent.