Over-Feminization of Journalism and Modern Woke Reporting

A recent survey of journalists in America helped expose a hidden truth of the feminization of journalism: Female reporters now make up over two thirds of journalists under 30 and half of those over 30. Another study put female representation at 72% of all journalists. In researching this subject, I found a survey from 2017 showing women were around two thirds of journalists then. In comparison, in 1970 women made up only around 20% of U.S. reporters. As Journalism has becoming increasingly feminized, in direct correlation we have seen the changes in reporting from the more objective and fact-based to today’s more “woke” reporting. Feminization of the profession may best explain what so many decry and its exposure the motivation to fix the problem.

Though journalism has traditionally leaned to left, even when male dominated, the feminization of journalism has brought the liberal bent to an enormous degree. In 1970, 35% of reporters identified as Democrats, while 25% identified Republican. By 2013 (when feminization of journalism. was in full swing), only 7% of reporters identified as Republican. By 2024, the number of Journalists identifying as Republican crashed to 3.4% and continues to sink the entire NPR newsroom was found to have 87 Democrat and zero Republicans. Veteran editors have lamented the new “woke” newsrooms: when they publish any perceived conservative opinion that could offend, they risk a revolt in majority female newsrooms. The prime example was when Senator Tom Cotton wrote about the idea of lawfully using U.S. troops to assist law enforcement with the 2020 civil unrest. When published in the New York Times it caused a staff revolt due among “offended” young journalists and the Editor was forced out.

Back in the 1970, females were over 42% of college students. The slight majority of men helped instigate Title 9 legislation. This and other affirmative action pushed women to equality, and, within a decade, women surpassed men in college. By 2000, women were over 56% of undergrads and 58% of graduate students. Within a few years women were around 60% of college students. Despite men being in a worse situation by the 2000s than women in 1970, no pressure came to correct the imbalance. Just as in academia, women have been pushed forward with journalism. Newsrooms came under intense scrutiny, starting decades ago, if parity didn’t exist between men and women. Journalism has been on the side of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion from the beginning, both in reporting and in Newsrooms. Unfortunately, that commitment to sex equity ended when newsrooms became a majority female. The journalistic profession shows no concern with the glaring lack of male representation. Seemingly no concerns over the consequences that brings.

Americans have shown in poll after poll they do not trust the media. Americans believe the media is overwhelmingly biased to the left and woke (minus the few conservative outlets). From a CNN article about a Pew research poll, 77% of Americans believe the media is biased. Feminized newsrooms generally favor inclusivity over free speech when the subject is controversial or involve ideas considered offensive to liberals. Favor “woke” language to prevent offense to an alleged “oppressed” group, despite the confusion caused to all. Favor gender ambiguity to prevent any possible offense of the alleged “oppressed."

The connection between the feminization of journalism and resulting woke reporting is clear. I don’t advocate a DEI type plan for men in journalism. Just a recognition that the decades of pushing favoring of women has gone too far and needs to stop.

Corinthians 16:13,14 exhorts men to “stand in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all you do be done in love.” The qualities of manhood need to come back into our newsrooms. Something Journalism and America so desperately need right now.

Colonel Bill Connor (U.S. Army, ret.) is a distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Bill is a book author who has published numerous defense related articles nationally and internationally. He is now an attorney and law firm owner and the recipient of South Carolina’s highest award, the Order of the Palmetto.

image: President Joe Biden and Tamara Keith, WHCA president, White House Correspondent for NPR and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast, stand during the presentation of the colors at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, April 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)