Faculty Research Star

I found out today that I was recognized as a Faculty Research Star at Butler University for 2019-2020. Very happy and thankful!

Independent Colleges of Indiana Leadership Academy

Excited to be part of the first Leadership Academy of the Independent Colleges of Indiana. This picture was taken in March, right before the COVID shut down. Since then, we have been meeting virtually as a group. A wonderful cohort!

New Publication Alert: Media Constructions of Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp and June Steenkamp

An article by myself and my co-author, Nancy Worthington, just appeared in Journalism Studies. Here is a link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1461670X.2020.1827969

Abstract: Almost 20 years after South Africa’s formal transition to a democracy, South Africans of all races were consumed by the murder trial of former Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who shot his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on February 14, 2013. This article analyzes how the Times Live website in South Africa constructed identity discourse related to Oscar Pistorius, Reeva Steenkamp, and her mother, June Steenkamp, from 2013 to the conclusion of his final appeal in 2018. Drawing on theories of intersectionality and news as myth, we perform a critical discourse analysis of 208 articles to illustrate how these constructions serve primarily to reassert hegemonic discourses of gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability, but also to occasionally challenge those discourses. We found that several representations conformed to established myths: Pistorius as both the Victim and Trickster, and Reeva Steenkamp as the innocent Victim. June Steenkamp was initially constructed as The Good Mother and Victim, but news coverage later presented her as a villain because of her perceived greed. We conclude that enduring news values and economic imperatives foster editorial practices that sustain existing power relations despite efforts to transform and decolonize the newsroom.

Butler University Fall Academic Workshop Focuses on Anti-Racism

Today, I attended Butler University's Virtual Fall Academic Workshop that focused on anti-racism. Several good sessions, but the highlight was the Q and A with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, moderated by Dr. Brooke Barnett of the College of Communication. Dr. Kendi argued that just as research, teaching, and service are required for promotion and tenure, diversity work should also be required. We ended the day by individually reflecting on our commitment to anti-racism through personal and professional development.

Some of the Zoom sessions from today's workshop

 

Textbook for Fall Gender and News class

I have decided to use the book Journalism, Gender and Power edited by Cynthia Carter, Linda Steiner and Stuart Allan in my Gender and News: Global Views class this semester. This book came out in 2019 and is fully updated from the 1998 version. Excited!

 

New Publication: Newsroom Cultures

My contribution on newsroom cultures was just published in the International Encyclopedia of Gender, Media, and Communication. Below is the abstract:

Newsroom cultures around the world are dominated by a masculine culture. This is not only because men make up the majority of news workers, but also because of established news values and news routines. Men entered newsrooms long before women did, and women are still considered to be outsiders in what has been described as a “blokey,” “macho,” or “locker room” culture. Women are often expected to cover less important soft news stories, while men cover hard news. Men dominate at the top levels of newsroom hierarchies, with women facing the glass ceiling and unequal pay. Long working hours are a deterrent for female journalists, who often are also responsible for taking care of family members and children. Women face physical and online harassment, as well as sexual harassment, and are often judged on their youthfulness and appearance. Future studies should focus more on intersectionality as well as the experiences of nonbinary people.

The Summer of Webinars

I have been spending time this summer on what Butler University calls Pivot Pedagogy, basically preparing us for a very uncertain fall semester. In addition, I have attended several workshops on diversity, inclusion, and equity -- so important at this time. 

Working from Home in Uncertain Times

JMCE Publishes Special Section on WJEC syndicates

Very excited to receive my copy of Journalism & Mass Communication Educator in the mail today. I co-edited the special section on the World Journalism Education Congress with Elanie Steyn and Robyn Goodman. I also co-authored the syndicate report on "Educating Journalism Students on Gender and Inequality" with Ingrid Bachmann and Mia Moody-Ramirez.

Journalist Leila Fadel visits Butler University

NPR National Correspondent Leila Fadel visited my Gender and News class today. Stimulating conversation!

With Leila Fadel in class