A panel discussion on the need for increased female representation in sports journalism took center stage at a special “AIPS Asia Women’s Forum”, held alongside the 25th AIPS Asia Congress in Kathmandu, Nepal. The forum addressed the critical question: “Is there a need for more women sports journalists in the industry?” and served as an eye-opener for the audience, exposing the challenges women face in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Moderated by Indian multimedia sports journalist Prarthana Hazarika, the forum brought together a diverse panel of accomplished women, including journalists and athletes, to reflect on the obstacles women continue to face in the sports media landscape. The forum was a powerful reminder of how much work still needs to be done to ensure that women’s voices are equally heard in sports media.
The Challenges Women Face in Sports Journalism
While sports journalism is evolving, the forum highlighted how many women still struggle to break through, facing institutional bias, a lack of mentorship, and limited opportunities. The industry is often dominated by men, particularly in decision-making positions, which stifles the diversity of perspectives that women can offer. Many female journalists find themselves assigned to “soft” or “lifestyle” roles rather than being given the opportunity to cover major sporting events.
Shivanee Thapa Basnyat, Senior News Editor and Presenter at Nepal TV, shared her personal journey, reflecting on the discouragement she faced when she first entered the industry. “When I started my career, there was little to no encouragement for women to pursue sports journalism. It was a field dominated by men, and many women didn’t even consider it as a viable career path,” she explained. However, Shivanee was optimistic, pointing out that the situation is improving, with new doors opening for women. “Now, we see more opportunities, but that’s why it’s even more important to bring more women into the fold—to further enrich the sports landscape with our perspectives.”
The Importance of Gender Connection in Sports Media
As the discussion evolved, the forum also touched on how female athletes often find it easier to relate to female journalists. Ms. Janni Jensen, Head of Partnerships and Growth at the Esports Federation and a former athlete, shared that women athletes are more likely to open up to female reporters, creating a deeper connection that allows for more authentic storytelling. “It’s about trust and understanding,” she said. “Female athletes feel understood by female journalists because there’s a shared experience, a shared understanding of gender-related challenges. This connection often leads to richer, more genuine narratives being told.”
This perspective is particularly relevant as women’s sports receive more media coverage. However, male journalists still dominate the field, and that imbalance can result in women’s sports stories being under-reported or misrepresented. Jensen emphasized that without more female journalists, we risk missing out on the nuanced and compelling stories of female athletes that male counterparts may not capture as effectively.
hina’s Commitment to Promoting Women in Sports Media
Offering an international perspective, Ms. Jing Xu, Vice President of the Chinese Sports Press Association and Vice President of the Press Department of the Chinese Olympic Committee, shed light on China’s commitment to empowering women in sports journalism. She noted that the number of female journalists covering the Paris Olympics was significantly higher than in previous years, thanks to targeted initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality within the industry. Jing explained how China’s media sector is making strides in elevating women’s roles, but also emphasized that progress is still ongoing. “We’ve seen great advancements, but there’s still a long way to go. The presence of female journalists in major sporting events is crucial to telling more inclusive stories.”
The Untold Stories of Para-Athletes
Perhaps one of the most moving moments of the forum came from Palesha Gaverdhan, a Para Athlete and Bronze Medalist from Nepal, who highlighted how women’s underrepresentation in sports journalism affects para-athletes like herself. “Our stories are often left untold,” she said, underscoring how many para-athletes struggle to get the attention and recognition they deserve in mainstream sports media. She called for more female journalists to take on the responsibility of bringing these stories to light. “We need women in sports journalism to champion the stories of para-athletes like me. These stories are important, but they often remain in the shadows.”
A Unified Call for Change
Throughout the session, there was unanimous agreement among the panelists: there is an urgent need for more female representation in sports journalism. It was clear that women’s voices are vital to improving the coverage and understanding of not only women’s sports but the entire sports ecosystem. The speakers highlighted that the presence of women in the industry isn’t just about equality—it’s about creating richer, more nuanced stories that resonate with wider audiences.
“Women journalists bring a unique perspective, one that is necessary for the industry to evolve and better reflect the diversity of the sports world,” said Prarthana Hazarika, who moderated the discussion with grace and precision. The session was an eye-opener for the audience, offering deep insights into how women’s inclusion in sports journalism can shape the future of the field.
In her concluding remarks, Prarthana thanked AIPS Asia Secretary General Amjad Aziz Malik and President Hee Dong Jung for their ongoing support and expressed hope that more women will soon be visible in sports journalism. “We have made strides, but we still have a long way to go. With support from organizations like AIPS Asia, I am hopeful we’ll see more women breaking into this industry soon,” she concluded.
The forum left a lasting impression on the audience, reminding everyone that achieving gender balance in sports journalism is not just a goal—it’s a necessity for the future of sports media.
