Female Representation on Israeli TV News Panels Drops in October

The recent decline in women's representation across Israeli television news panels during October underscores ongoing challenges in media equality, according to a new report.

Data published by the '5050 - Gender Partnership and Equality' initiative, in collaboration with local media watchdogs and the Union of Journalists, reveals a regression following the high participation rates recorded in September.

Topping the October index is i24NEWS, which reached 36% female participation in its panels, marking the only channel to record an increase and capturing first place. Kan 11 followed closely in second place with 35%, while Channel 12 dropped from 43% in September to 34%. Channel 13 registered a decline from 34% to 26%, and Channel 14 remained at the bottom of the index with only 19% women on its panels.

Significant discrepancies were also evident during election night broadcasts on October 27. Kan 11 stood out with a majority of women on its main panel—six women compared to three men. Meanwhile, other networks maintained a male-dominated presence: 37% women in Israeli media, 33% in Israeli media and i24NEWS, and just 27% in Israeli media.

Project director Yael Yechieli emphasized that equality requires deliberate management decisions. She noted that while the legislature features a record number of female lawmakers, media outlets continue to allocate the majority of airtime to men, vowing to persistently advocate for balanced representation.