Mainstreaming Gender in Postgraduate Journalism and Communication Programmes in Ghana

Gender representation in journalism and communication is crucial because it shapes how media reflects and constructs society. Extant literature on newsrooms and professional journalism indicate that women are underrepresented in terms of numbers and the types of stories they cover. This 'problem' of representation within the profession of journalism itself has implications for the perpetuation of gender stereotypes and the framing of women and limits the public's understanding of women's issues. Journalism and communication educational institutions play a vital role in shaping the next generation of practitioners, who will take up roles in media organisations and be tasked with the issues of balanced gender reporting and representation. This document analysis examines the existence (or lack) of gendered perspectives, theories, ideologies, and gendered experiential learning opportunities within the postgraduate curricula in media and journalism in Ghana. Although the study establishes the availability of distinct gender courses, their integration is limited. The findings highlight the need to mainstream gender perspectives throughout postgraduate communication and journalism education to better equip future media and communication practitioners to challenge stereotypes and present balanced coverage of women's issues within Ghanaian media.