The Handbag, the Witch and the Blue eyed Blondes

1
The Handbag, the Witch and the Blue eyed Blondes

• Portrayal of female politicians in the Danish
  media

2
How to investigate media images of female
politicians

• Analysis of media coverage of female politicians
• In-depth interviews with high level female
  politicians
• In-depth interviews with journalists/media
  experts
• Survey among female politicians How is their
  personal experience?

3
Images of female politicans in Danish media

• The Mother
• The Blue-eyed Blondes
• The Teacher
• The Iron Lady
• The Witch
• The Queen of Ice
• The Chit
• The Seductress
• The Old Maid
• The Media Tart

4
What do the female politicians think?

• Media does not treat female and male politicians
  in the same way
• It is harder to get professional credit for women
  in the media
• Media seek different things when dealing with
  male and female politicians
• Age is just as important as gender in media

5
Why does gender matter in media?

• Politics Image is more important than political
  visions
• The public People want privacy and intimacy
• Promotion Gender gives access to media
• Journalism Gender is an easy story to make

6
Conclusion

• Gender makes a difference when media portray
  Danish female politicians
• Female politicians are being portrayed on the
  basis of stereotypes
• Gender is an advantage as well as a disadvantage
  for female politicians