Media Research and Innovation Center at SDU & MediaCatch Study Reveals Persistent Gender Disparity on Danish TV

Client University of Southern Denmark

DiversityFacial RecognitionBroadcast Media

Despite efforts towards gender equality, Danish media continues to exhibit significant gender disparity. An analysis conducted by the Media Research and Innovation Center at SDU, in collaboration with MediaCatch, revealed that nearly two-thirds of all faces appearing on the four largest Danish TV channels (DR1, DR2, TV 2, and TV 2 News) are men. This imbalance persists across various types of programming, including news broadcasts and entertainment shows.

The dataset for this analysis encompassed over 1,200 hours of television, monitored continuously over an extended period. Using AI technology with 98% accuracy, each face was categorised as male or female, excluding hosts unless specified otherwise. The findings indicated that TV 2 had 32.7% female representation, DR1 had 31.4%, DR2 had 28%, and TV 2 News had 27.9%. Even during prime time, these percentages showed only minor improvements, with TV 2 reaching 34.4% and DR1 33.1%.

Several key insights emerged from the data. TV 2's news programs, such as the 19:00 and 21:30 news, featured a higher percentage of female participants compared to DR1's TV-Avisen, which had as few as 3% female representation in some broadcasts. Additionally, entertainment shows like "Vild med Dans" had the highest female presence at 53%, while serious debate programs like "Debatten" on DR2 had only 24.8% female participants. These findings suggest a structural bias in gender representation and highlight the significant influence of editorial decisions on the visibility of women in media.

Addressing this gender disparity requires concerted efforts from media producers and editors. Increasing the representation of women, especially in news and debate programs, is crucial. This can be achieved by diversifying the pool of experts and guests featured on these shows. Additionally, setting clear targets for gender representation and regularly monitoring progress can help ensure accountability and continuous improvement. By implementing these strategies, Danish TV channels can work towards a more equitable representation of genders, reflecting a balanced view of society and fostering gender equality in media.