Category: Blog

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.

“Can you speak about forced marriages in the Asian community?” Someone asked.
“Can you talk about shame and honour based violence?” Another one asked.

Continue reading “On media representation: Why we need more diverse stories.” →

By Dr. Toni Haastrup is a senior lecturer in international politics, and specialising in both the African and European Unions.

In the UK, there are 140 Black professors, 35 of whom are women. While there are qualitatively more Black women working below the rank of professor, they make up less than 2% of the academic population who have permanent jobs in UK Universities. I am of that less than 2%.

This proportion is not accidental. When I was a PhD student in training for my job, I was one of 2 black women in my small cohort at Edinburgh. Ironically, I spent a lot of time sharing a floor with its Centre for African Studies, which at the time had never had a black member of staff. This remained the case when I left the country of my heart 9 years ago now. Since moving back to Scotland, I am forced to confront that there are so few of us, including in the Scottish academy, and as a consequence, I worry about the future of higher education if Black and other minority ethnic students don’t see themselves in this profession. What talent and critical thinking is academia in Scotland missing out on?

Unlike many of the students that I teach, I was spoiled in that I did have some Black and other ethnic minority academics as my professors. In 2007 when I first came to Edinburgh to start my degree, I had already lived in the United States and South Africa, and black professors were, unsurprisingly, not the rarity they are here. For most of my students, I will be their only encounter with a person of colour. My black teachers showed me that though they were few, I too could come into the academy. At the heart of the UK’s very obvious lack of ethnic minority representation, is the thread of structural racism that runs through our institutions of higher education. This is not unique to the UK and indeed a part of the academy in the US and South Africa, but there’s been enough attention to this lack of visibility, even when superficial, to identify it as a real problem.

We must do the same here, truly acknowledge the problem and take genuine action on culture and system change from within.

There are many factors that contribute to this lack of visibility in the UK, including in the Scottish context. Black lecturers like me are confronted with micro-aggressions that come as much from management as they do from students. I know because there are so few of us, we share these stories amongst ourselves. Black and ethnic minorities are less likely to successfully pursue research grants, a mark of prestige in this profession, or indeed be promoted. It feels like almost everyday, something is revealed to suggest we don’t belong. It is no wonder that for the most part, we just want to keep our heads down and get the job done. To not do so gets us labelled as troublesome, rather than passionate. This is the context that sees many Black and ethnic minority PhD holders leaving the academy.

Yet, it is important that students, particularly students of colour see those of us that are left as evidence that we too are here. This visibility of black and ethnic minority academics, particularly in Scotland is essential to demonstrate that our perspectives too, inform the fabric of what is a modern Scottish higher education institution.

It is for this reason that I am pleased and very proud to be part of this cohort of the Pass the Mic initiative precisely because of this shared commitment to visibility and representation.

The images of women of colour (WOC) over time have changed, but our presence in media has still a long way to go.

Continue reading “Representation Matters: The Impact of Women of Colour in Scotland’s Digital Age” →

Can machines be biased? What laws and regulations are there to protect me against discrimination from automated decisions? How can we build more fair, equal, and equitable technologies?

Continue reading “Diversifying Technology” →

I’ve been on quite the journey in the last 6 months.  While we have all been coping with life during a global pandemic and the challenges this brings, it has also allowed me to pause and reflect. 

Continue reading “Never Close Any Doors” →

As an emerging social art curator, I create exhibitions and installations which seek to tell stories of identity through marginalised people and communities.

Continue reading “Cat Dunn – Why I Applied for this Project” →

The importance of having diversity and representation in Scottish media cannot be understated. I have long called for better representation that reflects the national portrait of this country and there are many others pioneering the movement for representation here at Pass the Mic founded by Talat Yaqoob.  Coming together to present opportunities for the plethora of talent from diverse backgrounds is a welcomed approach to bridging the gaps in diversity that we often see within the media landscape. There are so many talented women and men that come from diverse backgrounds that can contribute their skills and talents to a wealth of content within the media but often face challenges in doing so. 

I was recently deemed the first hijab-wearing TV reporter in Scotland when I did my first TV report for STV News at Six. This was a significant moment for me not because of my identity but because I finally felt that I had overcome the glass ceiling that I felt I had been under for so long. Since the report aired and I highlighted my experiences of facing challenges within my career of being judged for being a visibly Muslim woman, I was inundated with messages. People from all over the industry in the UK and around the world contacted with their own experiences of facing discrimination and seeking advice on how to break the barriers and overcome potential problems that may occur when seeking to progress within the media.

Since speaking to those who have been in contact, I am now collaborating with others within the media industry to help support those who are facing challenges of discrimination and also working to call for better representation and diversity in the UK media through a campaign I started on change.org. One of the main reasons why representation and diversity is so important is due to the fact that we all need to be reflected on screen. I can resonate with the saying that ‘if you can’t see it you can’t be it’. The media often shapes our portrayals of the world and gives an insight into the society at large. If we are unable to see all types of people on our screens what message does that give out to viewers? It shows that certain spaces or industries are for some people and not for others and this is completely unacceptable. No one should ever have to feel that achieving their goals within the media is out of reach due to their race, faith, age, gender or any other factor.

I am working to support the facilitation of a dedicated complaints and support body that one can turn to if they do feel they are unable to progress because they have been discriminated against. In addition, I would like to pass on some tips on how I managed to overcome the hurdles of transitioning from online and print journalism into broadcast with the hope that it can be of some use to those who read this post.

Tips to Succeed within the Media Industry

Perseverance

There are many times when you may feel like giving up or are tired of facing rejection after rejection. I have been there myself and it is normal to feel that way . However, I have realised that in this industry if you really want to succeed perseverance is key. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything if I had not kept working hard and persevering.

Hone your skills

Knowledge is power and the more skills you acquire the better. I always strive to improve myself and learn new skills or perfect existing ones. This can help you if you want to transition to a certain area of the media and open up more opportunities.

Network

I have found networking to be really beneficial in building new working relationships, collaborating on projects and even making new friends with fellow journalists. I think it is a great way of building up a support system and can be especially beneficial if you are a freelancer like myself who often works alone in comparison to an organisation.

Look after your wellbeing

Mental health is everything and when you may feel low or have faced any issues  within the media industry that has impacted you, it is important to talk to someone that you trust. I have found it helpful speaking to family members whenever I faced set backs or rejections related to my identity.

And finally…

Keep on going!

Sign the petition for better representation and diversity and share the hashtag #betterrepresentation here – https://www.change.org/p/media-organisations-a-campaign-for-better-representation-and-diversity-in-uk-media