Study Reveals 43% of Spanish Media Reports Romanticize or Minimize Gender Violence
A recent study finds nearly half of Spanish media reports on gender violence romanticize or minimize the issue, prompting calls for better journalistic standards and education.
- • 43% of sexist media coverage romanticizes or minimizes gender violence.
- • 195 cases documented by the Observatorio del Periodismo Machista.
- • Other issues include objectification (16%) and victim-blaming (11%).
- • Educational materials developed to promote critical media literacy.
Key details
The Observatorio del Periodismo Machista has reported that 43% of sexist media coverage in Spain romanticizes or minimizes gender violence, according to research presented on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Since its inception, the observatory has documented 195 cases of sexist media coverage. Other prevalent issues identified include objectification in headlines (16%) and victim-blaming (11%). This initiative, a collaboration between the University of the Basque Country's Bitartez research group, the Association of Women Journalists of Pikara Magazine, and Comunicadoras 8M, aims to promote feminist journalistic practices and combat sexist portrayals in the media.
The project categorizes sexist coverage into nine types, with romanticization of violence against women being the most common. To foster awareness and critical thinking, educational materials are being developed for communication faculties and high schools. Iker Merchán Mota, co-director of the observatory, emphasized that "sexist journalism is poor journalism," calling for media reforms to build a more equitable society.
This study highlights ongoing challenges in media representation of gender violence in Spain and aligns with broader efforts to strengthen support systems for survivors, including recent health sector commitments made at a high-level meeting in Madrid. There, officials underscored the importance of respectful, survivor-centered care, further emphasizing the societal need for improved treatment of gender violence issues both in health services and media coverage.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.