Joke D'heer successfully defends their PhD dissertation on news coverage of women politicians
(31-05-2024)
The dissertation looks into news coverage of women politicians which has long been characterized by gender patterns that reinforce a male political norm, resulting in an unbalanced and stereotypical approach to their roles and appearances.
Conducting research on this topic in Belgium, Joke illustrates how women politicians receive less coverage than their male counterparts and are often judged based on appearance and family life, undermining their professional abilities. Young and ethnic minority women, in particular, face increased pressure to prove themselves and are often seen as outsiders in the political environment.
The dissertation advocates for an intersectional approach and highlights the need for political and journalistic institutions to recognize and change their ideologies and social responsibilities to foster more inclusive and fair reporting.