Navigating identities in political news: Towards a better understanding of intersectional gendering in news reporting on women politicians

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Upon the formation of the Belgian government in 2020, its even gender balance was celebrated as the ‘most feminine’ in the country’s history. However, the departure of four out of the ten women initially seated highlights ongoing institutional challenges. This project examines the role of journalism in perpetuating the white, elitist, and heteronormative masculine norms in Belgian politics. Despite journalism’s idealized role as a democratic watchdog, it often reinforces stereotypes and maintains the status quo, marginalizing women and minoritized groups. Focusing on feminist media studies, journalism studies, and political communication, the research critiques the traditional unitary approach to gender, advocating for an intersectional perspective that considers race, class, age, ethnicity, and sexuality. Using feminist standpoint theory, this project centers the lived experiences of women politicians and the positionality of political journalists to understand gendered reporting practices. It introduces the concept of "intersectional gendering" to explore how social norms and power dynamics influence news coverage. Through an in-depth analysis of the Belgian context, the project aims to contribute to academic knowledge and hold institutions accountable for reinforcing political barriers and stereotypes.