From the Classroom to the Newsroom: Exploring Leadership Trajectories for Women in Journalism

Most U.S. newsrooms are led by men, despite the large number of women working in the news industry. The study employs a mixed-method approach of qualitative interviews with women broadcast news leaders and focus groups with women journalism students to explore, understand, and analyze the leadership trajectories of women in the broadcast news industry. Findings suggest that: Many women news leaders experience sexism, most women journalists favor collaboration in their leadership approach, and women journalism students want more leadership training opportunities. Implications for the journalism profession and journalism education are discussed.