According to Arcom, we see more women on television and radio, but hear from them less

If the share of women on the air increased in 2022, their speaking time is even lower, as revealed by a study by the Audiovisual Communications Authority (Arcom), in a report published on 6 March.

Women are (slightly) more numerous in the media, but still speak little

The percentage of women present on television and radio, whether they are presenters, journalists, experts, guests or speakers, stands at 44% in 2022. One point more than in 2021. This is the highest level since the beginning of this annual evaluation in 2016.

On the other hand, their speaking time has stagnated at 36%, according to the study, carried out with the participation of the National Audiovisual Institute (INA). On these two points the public audiovisual sector does better than the private one: the presence of women was greater (47% against 45%) and their speaking time much higher (42% against 32%). However, in general, the presence of experts has increased by two points and stands at 45%, while that of speakers amounts to 50%, ie one point more.

Less visible women in sport and politics

Sports and politics, especially during the presidential elections, remained two areas where women were much less visible than men. Sports programs accounted for 21% of female presence on set, for 11% of speaking time on average.

As for the political guests, their attendance is 32%, which has increased by one point. However, their speaking time averaged 29%. Which remains much lower than the share of politicians seen and heard in the audiovisual sector.

“It is simply unacceptable that women who make up more than 52% of the French population are not equally represented”, launched Roch-Olivier Maistre, head of Arcom, during a press conference. We will not say otherwise.