Evaluation of Chinese Mainstream Media Gender Equity Level

Take People’s Daily, China Women's Daily, and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League WeChat public platform as examples

Abstract

Mainstream media has a significant impact on the minds of many people. Many studies have shown that gender bias exists in the news. It is unclear whether and what sexism issues exist in mainstream media. The purpose of this study is to identify the types of sexist issues in the news and how they change in Chinese mainstream media. This study used content analysis to analyze all public news for three years from the People's Daily, China Women's Daily, and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League WeChat public platform. The study found that all three mainstream media have gender discrimination problems, and their number and diversity are increasing every year. The gender discrimination problems are mainly reflected in the lack of attention to domestic violence and inappropriate news presentation, including the problems of tying women to the family, emphasizing women's appearance, portraying men as good and women as bad, and portraying men as the active ones and women as the passive ones. This study points out the problem of gender discrimination in mainstream media to help mainstream media workers become aware of their gender-biased thinking, reduce discrimination in the news, and facilitate the spread of gender equality concepts. By pointing out common patterns of gender discrimination, this study provides the public with tools to examine and reflect on their thoughts, helping to increase gender equality in society.