Sarah McGarrity

BSc Interactive Media, Class of 2024

Chicka Chatter Podcast about Women in the Media Industry in NI

Gender representation in the media industry in Northern Ireland (NI) has progressed over the years. However, we still have a long way to go before it is equal. This project proposes to make a Podcast, interviewing different women from the media industry. It will delve into the challenges they have found as women, the work they do, and overall, celebrating their successes as women and demonstrating a professional use of audio. Statistics show that radio stations have more male presenters than female, with some having no female presenters for three consecutive days in a row, alongside male voices being heard on prime time, and group presenting always takes place with 2 men and 1 woman, never 2 women and 1 man. This research has proven the need for a podcast, which can create a sense of community in the fight against gender representation in the media. It is important to acknowledge the challenges some women may face and make people aware of this. This podcast was centred on celebrating women and their work inside the media industry in NI and spreading awareness of the challenges they may or not take being a woman in such a male-dominated industry.