Title: Wider die Feminisierung der Öffentlichkeit: Aktuelle Geschlechterordnungen in Journalismus und Politik
Abstract: The article critically discusses the notion
of feminization as often used in the professional
field of journalism as well as in
the journalistic coverage of politicians.
Firstly, we map the current discussion on
feminization within the journalistic
sphere relying on an increasing number
of women journalists but simultaneously
referring to a loss of quality. Secondly, we
compare the coverage of chancellor Angela
Merkel and her then antagonist of
the social-democrats, Kurt Beck. Based
on a qualitative textual analysis of print
media, we identify patterns of feminization
as well as masculinization in the media
representation of both of them. This
media analysis identifies feminization as a
gendered pattern of devaluation (irrespective
of the sex of the devaluated) and
shows how politics is composed as a male
field while its constitutive Other remains
female.