The Use of Digital Media Tools in Nigeria: A Panacea against Gender Discrimination, Female Journalists Representation and Participation in Journalism

Abstract

Globally, the use digital tools in media practice have bridged the gap between the existing dichotomy (Male and Female) in journalism. It has revolutionized news coverage by eliminating the need for traditional procedures and protocols associated with professional journalism, such as being physically present on the field for balanced and newsworthy reportage. Moreover, digital media tools have reduced gender-based discrimination in media organizations, which used to assign men to more physically demanding roles while relegating women to menial tasks. Despite this paradigm shift orchestrated by digital media, female journalists are still being relegated to the extent that only few female journalists rise to the top in organizational hierarchical placement. In Nigeria, female journalists continue to face barriers such as unequal opportunities and unfair treatment in media organizations. One of the major issues is the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in media organizations. In this regard, this research present four major fronts from scholarly researches using Textual Analysis to identify the extent and effects of gender discrimination against female journalists in digital media practice in Nigeria; examine factors that contribute to gender discrimination against female journalists in media practice in Nigeria; assess the impact of gender discrimination on the representation and Participation of female journalists in digital media practice in Nigeria and explore the strategies female journalists in Nigeria use to overcome gender discrimination in digital media practice