That there are diversity issues in the creative industry overall is nothing new. The conversation regarding diversity in the creative industry has made headlines frequently, and there have been several large-scale events providing evidence to the issue this year alone. But what about diversity in journalism awards? Are journalism awards diverse enough?
Glastonbury Festival was criticised for its “all-white, all-male headliner lineup.” The Brits, after previously already being called out for a lack of diversity and the low number of non-white artists making shortlists (it took 73 years for a Black artist to win producer of the year!), were this year criticised for gender inequality, after no female-identifying acts were named for two leading categories – Artist Of The Year, as well as Best Pop/R&B. The Baftas, while having improved their track record in the number of nominations going to non-white performers, still faced backlash in the form form of a trending hashtag #BaftasSoWhite after the winners were still mostly white.
Across the pond, the Golden Globes were not aired in the usual way in 2022 and returned with a new lineup of judges, after it was revealed in late-2021 that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), who give out the awards, had zero Black voting members and the group had not had a Black member since at least 2002. The Oscars saw Michelle Yeoh become the first person of south-east Asian descent to win the best actress Oscar, but the length of time it took for someone from such a background to gain the recognition has raised questions as to why “the industry is not changing as quickly as the audience.”
Sadly, change is not happening much faster in the media industry either.
What influences diversity at awards?
There are many things that could influence a lack of diversity at awards. One is: money Often awards cost an entry fee, to submit your work. Then, should you be shortlisted, comes the awards ceremony which often (although not always) are ticketed events (i.e another purchase!). Add to that the cost of any evening wear, potential hotels, travel…and you have yourself a hefty price tag for the occasion.
But money isn’t the sole explanation that so many awards still seem pale, male, and stale.
An example can be seen when looking at one of Scotland’s most coveted awards: The Scottish Press Awards. According to Women in Journalism Scotland, more men than women have been shortlisted for them over years. One assumption is that women are less likely to put themselves forward for the competition. That, of course could be confidence/ imposter syndrome (known to be higher in female reporters), but also be due to so much more. A report by Gender Equal Media Scotland, for example, found that the entry process – which includes an entry fee, portfolio of best work, and sign off by an editor – “disproportionally excludes women both practically and culturally.” All of this is why Women in Journalism Scotland organised support both in terms of paying entry fees and workshops to demystify the application process – and what happened? Over the years there has been a steady increase in women shortlisted (and winning!).
What is currently happening in the UK?
As with other creative awards, diversity in journalism awards has been a hotly contested issue. Two years ago, in 2021, the Society of Editors postponed their National and Regional Press Awards, after several people pulled out of the evening in protest of a statement they published on Prince Harry’s claim that the UK press is bigoted, with organisers of the award denying the claims, later leading Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors to resign.
Around the same time, however, some changes to improve diversity at journalism awards were happening, too.
One that stood out were The British Journalism Awards, who announced their new awards category – the Barbara Blake-Hannah prize, given to the best up-and-coming journalist from a black and minority ethnic background – as well as waiving entry fees for journalists from ethnic minority backgrounds, for women and also for any journalists with a disability if they do not work for a news organisation which is able to pay for their entry “to encourage greater diversity amongst our finalists.”
Back then, journalist and editor Amber Sunner, who used to be PressPad’s commissioning editor and is now a digital engagement officer for children’s charity Rays of Sunshine, wrote about her views on diversity at journalism awards.
Read about her experience below:
Amber Sunner: Are journalism awards diverse enough? ‘More still needs to be done’
“Awards have been a real support for journalists from underrepresented backgrounds. The National Diversity Awards which are associated with ITV news is celebrating journalists in their line-ups for their contributions to journalism such as Tahmina Begum, Hannah Van De Peer and myself!
“Alongside these awards, the British Journalism Awards decided to waive fees for BAME, female and disabled journalists in 2020. It has resulted in a boost in applications.
“As someone who identifies in all three of these categories, I was so pleased to see how the barriers to these awards were taken down.
“More still needs to be done. Journalists shouldn’t be solely rewarded for writing about what makes them diverse.
“In order to create a more diverse industry, awards seasons also need to recognise the work of journalists from minority backgrounds for their contribution as a whole. Not just as diversity champions. Diversity quotas and hires are not enough – now real recognition is requisite.”
When it comes to the success of the fee waiver scheme for certain people, the British Journalism Awards saw “a record number of entries” for 2020 (the year it was introduced).
According to data by Press Gazette, the positive trend continued – not just when it comes to shortlists but who is recognised. While in 2020, more women were shortlisted than ever before (38%), men still scooped up more awards. However, by 2021, women already made up 43% of all shortlisted journalists, and half (50%) of those shortlisted also won the prize – a record almost repeated in 2022, where even more women were shortlisted (48%), of which 49% won a prize.
It is a big win considering the gender parity issues that existed. In 2012, the year the awards were launched, only 24% of those shortlisted were women and only 25% of the awards winners were female.
However, while this does not mean it does not exist, data on other categories is not as easily accessible or published (yet), and whether the scheme held the same success when it comes to increasing the number of journalists from non-white ethnic minority backgrounds or disabled journalists is yet to be seen.
This is particularly the case as the dedicated Barbara Blake-Hannah award is being discontinued. Reason for this, organisers say, is that they want to deepen and broaden our commitment to diversity across the event” – rather than doing so in one category.
Are media awards diverse enough?
Currently, the answer – unfortunately – is still no. The conversation regarding diversity in creative award seasons has made headlines. Nominations and prizes for the Oscars, Baftas and Brits have all been criticised for their lack of diversity; overall confirming that “pale, male and stale” is still rife in creative industries. Change is happening, – but whether it sticks is another question.
Credit: Canva Pro image collage by PressPad
