Glass Ceiling and Gender Discrimination in Pakistani Media: An Empirical Analysis of Female Journalists in Punjab

Abstract

This paper analyzes the glass ceiling phenomenon and gender bias in the Pakistani media houses against female reporters. The research based on survey findings of 250 female journalists in six cities in the Punjab explores the nature, degree and forms of glass ceiling obstacles in the Pakistani media industry. Based on a quantitative survey approach in a structured questionnaire, the study concludes that 70.4% of the participants respond that high-ranking jobs are mostly allocated to their male peers, and 42% of the respondents openly address the issue of gender discrimination in their places of work. Results further show that 58.8% of respondents reported their news stories are judged on the basis of their gender. The research relies on Glass Ceiling Theory and Feminist Theory in order to explain such trends and comes to the conclusion that Pakistani media organizations need to pay immediate attention to the practices related to discriminatory promotion and assignments. Media houses, regulatory bodies, and Government of Punjab and PEMRA are given recommendations.