*Gender Checks are quick examinations of gender representation in individual news articles for the purpose of discovering trends over time. Click here to read more.
Website: Seattle Times
On the Seattle Times, one of the lead articles featured on the home page as of 2 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, Feb. 22, was titled “U.S: Seattle couple, 2 other Americans killed by pirates.” Its subject was the deaths of four Americans (two male and two female) who were taken hostage and killed by pirates while sailing on their yacht off the coast of East Africa.
Here is its gender breakdown:
–Author: AP and Seattle Times staff (with a male and a female contributor mentioned at the end)
–Human sources (listed in order mentioned):
1. Female, niece of the one of the female victims
2. Female, victim (via an e-mail sent before Valentine’s Day)
3. Male, animal shelter director who worked with one of the male victims
4. Male, monsignor (speaking of couple)
5. Male, professor, friend of one of the male victims
6. Male, general of U.S. Central Command
7. Male, pirate
8. Male, head of Dryad Maritime Intelligence
Notes/analysis: Sources speak on three of the four people killed as individuals. One of the females is only referenced as part of a couple with her husband whose background is described. She is named twice — with a different first name each time (Jean vs. Jane). Based on other news sources, her name appears to be Jean.
Website: Seattle P-I
On the Seattle P-I, one of the lead articles featured on the home page as of 2 p.m. (MST) Tuesday, Feb. 22, was titled “Up to 6 inches of snow possible by Thursday.” Its subject was a winter storm watch issued for the Seattle area and a large part of Western Washington.
Here is its gender breakdown:
–Author: Male (with a male contributor)
–Human sources (listed in order mentioned):
1. Male, department of transportation spokesman
2. Male, meteorologist (via his weather blog)
The Gender Report 