Council of Europe adopts first Recommendation on gender equality and media

On 10 July 2013, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted its first ever recommendation in the field of media.  The ‘Recommendation on Gender Equality and Media’ includes guidelines addressing not only Member States but also media organisations.

According to the Recommendation, gender equality means equal visibility, empowerment, responsibility and participation of both women and men in all spheres of public life, including the media.

It states media organizations should be encouraged to adopt self-regulatory measures, internal codes of conduct/ethics and internal supervision, and develop standards in media coverage that promote gender equality. Internal policy and working conditions should be aimed at:

• equal access to, and representation in, media work for women and men, including in the areas where women are underrepresented;
• balanced participation of women and men in management posts, in bodies with an advisory, regulatory or internal supervisory role, and generally in the decision-making process;
• non-stereotyped image, role and visibility of women and men, avoidance of sexist advertising, language and content which could lead to discrimination on grounds of sex, incitement to hatred and gender-based violence.

The Recommendation also sets a number of measures or mechanisms for the effective implementation of the strategies and policies to achieve gender equality goals in the media.

Link to the Recommendation page.