The Role and Impact of Women in Media

International Women’s Day 2025 Event

In an era of increasing political polarisation and shifting global dynamics, the media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and discourse. However, trust in traditional media is declining. For example, only 31% of Americans now express confidence in the media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly (Gallup, 2023). At the same time, artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the media landscape, influencing content creation, distribution, and consumption patterns.

Yet, gender disparities in media leadership and representation remain stark, particularly in Europe:

• Women occupy just 24% of top editorial positions in major news organizations across 12 markets, despite comprising, on average, 40% of journalists in these regions (Newman et al., 2024).

• In European media, women account for only 23% of news stories bylines, while men contribute 41%, with the remainder being agency reports or un-bylined pieces (European Journalism Observatory, 2016).

• Women represent approximately 25% of individuals heard, read about, or seen in European news, and are rarely featured in expert capacities (Council of Europe, 2019).

  
  

These figures highlight significant underrepresentation and suggest systemic biases within the media industry. And even if some figures have improved slightly in the past years, the big picture remains the same. So, what role do women play in shaping media—both as professionals and as consumers? How does media content evolve when the majority of CEOs, board members, and media owners are men? What challenges and opportunities do women face in influencing narratives in an AI-driven media landscape? 

Agenda

18:00 Door open

18:30 Welcome by Marta Ra (president)

18:35 Panel with subject matter experts 

19:15 Q&A

19:30 End

Join us as we analyse the power dynamics within today's media ecosystem, question biases, and explore solutions. This International Women’s Day 2025 event will bring together leading media professionals, academics, and advocates to discuss how gender perspectives influence media content and representation. And we discuss how the underrepresentation affects the current discussion of sustainability and sustainable investing amid the anti-woke wave.

Speakers: 

• Anne-Barbara Luft, editor (Bilanz, Blick, Handelsblatt, NZZ)

• Katia Murmann Amirhosseini, founder, board member, entrepreneur (ch media, Sonntagszeitung, Ringier, Equal Voice)

• Tessy Anthony-de Nassau, serial entrepreneur (RTL, VICE)

• Severine Schori-Vogt, head of development and offering, board member (SRF)

• Hannah Wise, editor, moderator, founder (BBC, France 24, CNN)

Engage in a forward-thinking dialogue on media inclusivity, celebrate exemplary leadership, and contribute to shaping a more representative and dynamic media landscape.

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Our network and events are open to all genders.