This summer, Pass the Mic organised the first women of colour gathering in Scotland focused on what needs to change in media to amplify the voices and expertise of women of colour. The event was a huge success and included more than 80 women from across Scotland along with speakers and workshop hosts. One of the participants, Anisha, has written about the day for Women in Journalism Scotland.
During the event we hosted a “conversation cafe” to ask participants what needs to change within media, commentary, and wider cultures to enable them to take part more effectively and without concern. Many women expressed their want to share their expertise and skills in the same way others do in Scotland to influence public narratives, but felt that that they were either locked out of these opportunities, or did not have the access or networks to enter. During the workshop, participants told us what need to change within processes and internal (sometime hostile) cultures. This included; investment by news outlets in sustained outreach and engagement, media monitoring and public targets, and internal training and auditing of processes that may be actively excluding women of colour. A key point was raised repeatedly, that whilst media needed to change, institutions (such as universities and political parties) also need to go significantly further in assessing their own processes on who they give opportunities to and who they put forward to media.
The following day, a second event was hosted with those working in media and those working in media education. Whilst discussions were helpful and have informed the future developments of Pass the Mic, it was particularly disappointing to see such a low turnout of individuals from media and, particularly, those with decision-making power within media. We hope that future opportunities of this kind are more readily engaged in, if there is to be any hope of positive change.
In order to support the change in culture and systems needed, Pass the Mic has developed a briefing (below) for those working within and around media which shares our media monitoring research along with the outputs and learning from our events. We hope this is shared widely and helps instigate important discussions within media and commentary spaces.