Title

'His Women Problem': An Analysis of Gender on 'The Newsroom'

Author(s)

Chad Painter, University of DaytonFollow
Patrick Ferrucci, University of Colorado

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2015

Publication Source

The Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture Journal

Abstract

This textual analysis focuses on the portrayal of female journalists on Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom, which premiered on HBO in 2012. The researchers argue that the four main female journalists are depicted as being unprofessional in the workplace, being inadequate at their jobs, and being motherly and weak. While these female journalists have impeccable credentials, stellar resumes, and a genuine interest in disseminating the best possible news, Sorkin and his fellow writers consistently depict these powerful women as inferior to the male characters.

The researchers conclude that Sorkin and his creative team failed in their ethical obligation to the audience and society because the portrayals could negatively impact the perceptions of real female journalists.

Inclusive pages

1-30

ISBN/ISSN

1932-8036

Document Version

Published Version

Comments

This document is provided for download in compliance with the publisher's policy on self-archiving. Permission documentation is on file.

Copyright

Copyright © 2015, University of Southern California

Publisher

University of Southern California

Volume

6

Peer Reviewed

yes

eCommons Citation

Painter, Chad and Ferrucci, Patrick, "'His Women Problem': An Analysis of Gender on 'The Newsroom'" (2015). Communication Faculty Publications. 28.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/cmm_fac_pub/28