For Thursday, February 20, 2014, here are some media stories of note:
The annual Status of Women in the Media report is out from the U.S.-based Women's Media Center. Not surprisingly, it found underrepresentation of women in newsrooms (an American Society of News Editors study, one of many the Center examined, indicated only 36 per cent of employees were women). A particularly weak area: sports journalism (90 per cent male, 90 per cent white). The report identifies some practical paths to progress, including mentoring programs, hiring practices, and a more serious consideration of the work/life balance by employers.
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Rebekah Brooks started her defence today at the phone-hacking trial. Before she did, a judge instructed the jury to acquit her on one of the five charges she faced for lack of evidence, a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. Brooks told the court she had no knowledge of phone-hacking during her editorship of News of the World.
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Glenn Greenwald insists he will return to the U.S. to press the issue of whether he faces charges. He may do so to receive the Polk Award. U.S. authorities have indicated those who helped Edward Snowden disclose surveillance secrets may face prosecution, but Greenwald (who now runs The Intercept at First Look Media) says he refuses to be an exile from his own country.
The annual Status of Women in the Media report is out from the U.S.-based Women's Media Center. Not surprisingly, it found underrepresentation of women in newsrooms (an American Society of News Editors study, one of many the Center examined, indicated only 36 per cent of employees were women). A particularly weak area: sports journalism (90 per cent male, 90 per cent white). The report identifies some practical paths to progress, including mentoring programs, hiring practices, and a more serious consideration of the work/life balance by employers.
***
Rebekah Brooks started her defence today at the phone-hacking trial. Before she did, a judge instructed the jury to acquit her on one of the five charges she faced for lack of evidence, a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. Brooks told the court she had no knowledge of phone-hacking during her editorship of News of the World.
***
Glenn Greenwald insists he will return to the U.S. to press the issue of whether he faces charges. He may do so to receive the Polk Award. U.S. authorities have indicated those who helped Edward Snowden disclose surveillance secrets may face prosecution, but Greenwald (who now runs The Intercept at First Look Media) says he refuses to be an exile from his own country.
