WOMEN’S DAY 1956-2026: 2026 marks the shift from glass ceiling to cyberceiling in media
Research reveals a gender equality backlash as many women journalists face online abuse.
In 1956, women broke the glass ceiling in media, becoming editors-in-chief. However, according to a new report by the South African National Editors’ Forum, women journalists now face a cyberceiling, with online harassment and cybermisogyny being serious issues. In a survey of 111 women journalists, 75% reported experiencing cyberbullying and misogynic behavior, an increase of 45 percentage points from a 2018 study.
Black African women are leaving newsrooms at a higher rate, feeling humiliated, sidelined, and overlooked. The old boys' club, now an African boys' club, often treats women's promotions with suspicion. The gender pay gap remains high, with more than 60% of surveyed women experiencing it.
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