TEHRAN A female university professor and journalist, Minoo Badiei, said that female journalists should rely on their own great capabilities and efforts.
She noted that, today, female journalists are able to make considerable progress in different areas of journalism through the support of the Trade Union of Iranian Journalists.
Speaking to IRNA, on the occasion of the Reporters' Day, Badiei further said that the main problem facing female journalists is the lack of due respect and job progress. "These problems force female journalists to quit their jobs," she noted.
She underlined that even in the reform-oriented print media, which flourished after the presidential election in 1997, male journalists have had more chance of job progress than female journalists.
Badiei noted that many people hold a negative attitude toward engagement of women in journalism, believing that journalism is not an appropriate profession for women.
She said that appointing women as managing directors or chief editors of publications is something positive but not enough, "since women should be active in all areas of journalism." Elsewhere in the interview, Badiei emphasized that more attention should be paid to journalism. "Currently, the main problem of journalists is lack of job security.
Journalists lose their jobs due to the closure of publications.
Thus, while efforts are made to prevent harmful press activities, creating job security for journalists should also receive due attention." Underlining the significant role played by journalists in shaping the public opinion, Badiei said that, in covering events, journalists should avoid expressing their personal views and try to convey the mere facts to the people.