Discrimination and Deterrents Affecting Female Sports Journalists and Sports Coverage in Tanzania

Abstract

Sports journalism, traditionally a male-dominated field, is undergoing a notable shift as women increasingly enter the profession, both in developed nations and across Africa. However, despite the progress made by women globally since the 1970s, compared to the Global North, the presence of female sports journalists remains low in Tanzania. Grounded in media feminism theory, this study explored the perceptions of women sports journalists regarding sports reporting, identifies the barriers they face, and examines the role of editors in promoting greater female participation in Tanzanian newsrooms. Data were collected through interviews with sports editors and female journalists from 10 media outlets based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings reveal that while sports editors in Tanzania are making efforts to ensure equal opportunities and empowerment for women in sports coverage, a widespread negative public perception of female sports journalists persists. This study reveals that female sports journalists in Dar es Salaam continue to encounter challenges in interviewing sources and combating sexual harassment and gender-based violence.