What have we found?

Participants in the Reps research projects collect a wide range of audio, video and paper clippings and monitor the representations of women in their chosen media typically over a four-week period. The material is then collated as a whole and compiled into reports for public presentations, exhibitions and screenings. 

Our findings have been presented to the National Union of Journalists, The Home Office, the conference of the 40th anniversary of the Women's Liberation movement and to sell-out audiences in Bristol where the project originated. You can download some of the presentations below.
At a point in time when there is an assumption of equality between the sexes, we have found a clear gender bias in the media.

  • Objectification: women are idealised, are in the media for how they look not for what they do and always to be "beautiful".
  • Absence: women and girls are missing, they are not as numerously or as diversely represented as men. 
  • Misrepresentation: women are represented very narrowly, as wives, girlfriends, mums, preoccupied with dieting and shopping. 
  • Exploitation: women's bodies and female sexuality are used to sell products and sensationalise content.
  • Distortion: unrealistic representations of "beauty" are damaging body image and the way we value women.


Presentations

  • Black and Minority Ethnic Women in the Media. Download (1710kb)
  • Breakfast Radio. Download (640kb)
  • Children's Advertising. Download (1200kb)
  • Children's School Reading Scheme Books. Download (140kb)
  • Children's Television (CBeebies). Download (1250k)
  • Facebook Advertising. Download (1300kb)
  • LGBT Women in the Media. Download (7430kb)
  • Local Film Screenings in Bristol. Download (500kb)
  • Music Video. Download (2300kb)
  • News International Ltd. Download (1300kb)
  • Sports Pages. Download (2220kb)
  • Sunday Papers. Download (1300kb)
  • Television. Download (250kb)
  • Women in Comedy. Download (920kb)
  • Women in the Arts. Download (40kb)
  • Women in Leadership. Download (40kb)
  • Women's Magazines. Download (500kb)
  • The complete collection of presentations. Download (12000kb)
  • Presentation to the National Union of Journalists. Download (3760kb)
Gathering evidence

The Reps project seeks to involve women and girls at all levels in an accessible and inclusive way. We work together to gather material in groups, in workshops and as individuals. Participants often find that the process of collecting and analysing data forces them to explore and question media representations of women. 

As we are confronted by the evidence of gender bias in the media, we see that sexist language and imagery has become normal, and often that we have ceased to see it. Misrepresentations of women have become more real than real women.

These experiences are almost like a second set of findings. The impact that media bias has on the identity of women and girls is tangible. We feel this when we view the media and by undertaking this research we are able to share and validate the effect of this gender bias. 

This recognition functions like a spring board for action. In addition to gathering evidence to inform and raise awareness, participants are also getting active! Please visit our Activism pages to read more about activities which aim to address and resolve gender bias in the media.