*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: The New York Times
On The New York Times, one of the lead articles featured on the home page as of 4 p.m. EST on Feb. 23 was titled “U.S., In Shift, Sees Marriage Act as Violation of Gay Rights.” Its subject was the U.S. Justice’s Department announcement that they see discrimination against gay and lesbian people in all cases as presumptively unconstitutional.
Here is its gender breakdown:
–Authors: Male and Female (shared byline)
–Human sources (listed in order mentioned):
1. Male – attorney general (as paraphrased from a letter to Congress)
2. Male – law professor
3. Male – president (as paraphrased from previous statements)
Notes/analysis: Most of the story is based on the letter written by the attorney general as well as past court cases and background information.
Website: ProPublica
On ProPublica, one of the lead articles featured on the home page as of 4:30 p.m. EST on Feb. 23 was titled “Cheat Sheet: What’s Really Going On With Wisconsin’s Budget.” Its subject was the ongoing standoff in the Wisconsin government over budget deficits and the future of union rights.
Here is its gender breakdown:
–Author: Male
–Human sources (listed in order mentioned):
1. Male – state governor (as quoted from public statements)
2. Male – director of the Fiscal Bureau
Notes/analysis: This story took more of an analysis approach than original reporting, and as such relied on the commentary and reporting of several other news outlets.
The Gender Report 