Encouraging progress. The proportion of women on television and radio has never been as high as in 2021, when it reached 43%, according to an annual report published by Arcom (ex-CSA) on Tuesday. However, their speaking time (36%) remains significantly lower than their presence time, according to the measurements carried out by the INA (National Audiovisual Institute) as part of this report, published on the International Day of womens rights.
The attendance rate of 43% “proves that the collective efforts have paid off”, commented Carole Bienaimé Besse, member of the CSA, during the press conference presenting the report. Nevertheless, “these 43% are not at all a reflection of speaking time”, she qualified.
“Women are underrepresented” in sports programs
Television and radio combined, the share of women on the air (as presenters, journalists, experts or speakers) has increased by two points compared to 2020, according to the report. This is the highest level since 2016, when this assessment began. Women remain more present on television (45%, +2 points) than on the radio. But the latter tends to catch up (42%, +3 points compared to 2020). Like last year, Arcom calls on television and radio stations to “define quantified progress objectives to improve the presence on the airwaves of women, and in particular of experts and political guests”.
By category, the share of women on TV and radio has increased among journalists (43%, +3), experts (43%, +2) and presenters (48%, +1). On the other hand, it fell among political guests (30%, -1). “This is the category with the fewest women for the fifth consecutive year,” commented Arcom.
Finally, the authority notes that “women are under-represented” in sports programs (20%). Similarly, women journalists are represented at only 21% in sports broadcasts and sports magazines. In March 2021, the broadcast on Canal+ of the documentary I’m not a bitch, I’m a journalist had opened a vast debate on sexism in the world of sports journalism.