Mejdaline Mhiri – Women in sports journalism

Watch the video interview

Listen to the podcast

Read the interview

Today, I’m hosting Mejdaline Mhiri, freelance sports journalist and co-president of the Association of Women Sports Journalists. I thought it would be interesting to invite her to talk to us about this still very male-dominated field, and to share her experiences. Welcome, Mejdaline.

Hi, thanks for inviting me!

Mejdaline Mhiri’s career

Would you please introduce yourselves?

Yes, of course. My name is Mejdaline Mhiri, I’m 35 and I’m a freelance journalist. This means that I work for several media. For eight years, I worked for the magazine Les Sportiveswhere I was editor-in-chief for four years. It’s a magazine that’s all about women’s sports, but that wasn’t my main activity. I began my career at Sud-Ouest, in Angoulême, Charente. For the past four years, I’ve been based in Paris, working with various media outlets such as Eurosport and L’Humanité. Lately, I’ve also been writing books, which wasn’t necessarily part of my career path, but which I’ve enjoyed doing, notably the official book of the Olympic Games, due out in early November.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted! What made you want to become a sports journalist? Was it a vocation?

Not at all! I studied film and theater, and didn’t really know what to do with my life. At the age of 23, after finishing my master’s degree in cinema, I realized that what I was really passionate about was talking about handball, replaying matches, talking to coaches and players. I didn’t want to be a coach, and I didn’t have the level to be a player. What interested me was the analysis. So I decided to find a way of getting paid to talk about handball! I did a few internships, made some progress and, one thing leading to another, I decided that the best thing to do would be to become a sports journalist. And that’s how the adventure began.

Was it difficult to get started without a traditional journalism degree?

I had to accept starting at the bottom of the ladder, being badly paid at the beginning, questioning myself and being humble. I didn’t write very well at first, because I didn’t have the basics. It’s hard to start out with that feeling of not being up to scratch. But I was so keen that I watched others to learn and progress. In the end, I did a year’s work-study at CELSA in Paris, a journalism school, to validate what I’d learned. This helped me get rid of the imposter syndrome and confirmed my ability to do this job. Then opportunities came along: journalism is a business of relationships. When you work well somewhere, it opens doors elsewhere. Today, I’m delighted to be able to work freely, to collaborate with different editorial teams and to work on a project basis. I love this independence.

That’s quite a journey! You said that this self-taught approach might have been possible “back in the day”. Do you think it’s still possible today?

Yes, it’s always possible, but it’ s undoubtedly more difficult. When you don’t go to a journalism school, you often have to prove more. Schools also allow you to do internships and get a foot in the door with companies, which makes it easier to get hired for the first time. For me, starting out as a press correspondent for Sud-Ouest, while working at Decathlon in the hunting and fishing department to supplement my income, was a formative experience. It gave me the motivation to move on and never have to go back to the hunting and fishing department!

It requires a lot of investment, so you have to be motivated! What have been the most memorable or rewarding moments in your career?

There have been a lot of them. The first big moment was my very first competition abroad: the Euro 2016 handball tournament in Poland. I was sent by the European Handball Federation to cover the event on its social networks. It was winter, with snow everywhere. I was alone in a hotel opposite the gymnasium, and as I didn’t yet know the other journalists very well, I did a bit of hotel-gymnasium, hotel-gymnasium. But I loved it, and it confirmed to me that I was cut out for this job. Then, when Aurélie Bresson asked me to become editor-in-chief of Les Sportives magazine in 2020, that was another important moment, even if it’s not the best-known medium. It was a great recognition of my work. And then, of course, covering the Olympic and Paralympic Games remains an exceptional moment, especially the Paralympic Games, which were full of emotion and learning.

Challenges in a male-dominated environment

It must have been incredible! For those of you who don’t know Les Sportives magazine, I’ll put up a link. This magazine puts the spotlight on women’s sports, and your team’s work is really top-notch. Now, you’re working in an environment that’s still very male-dominated. Could you tell us what the proportion of women and men is in sports journalism?

Around 85% men and only 15% women in sports newsrooms. That’s a huge number! When we created the Association of Women Sports Journalists in the spring of 2021, we decided to count ourselves, because we often hear that the proportion of women is increasing, that things are changing. But we wanted concrete figures. We worked with a scientist to establish this proportion rigorously. We observed that women are slightly more numerous on television than in the press or on radio, where they are the least represented, because sports commentary remains an almost exclusively male domain. Radio sports commentary is an area where women’s expertise is not trusted. If you count the women for whom it’s their main occupation, there are barely fifteen of them. And among them, those who comment on men’s sports as experts, not former top athletes, can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.

I knew there were fewer women, but I wasn’t thinking that far ahead! It’s great that you’ve done this count, because otherwise it’s all subjective. I imagine the answer is yes, but have you encountered any particular obstacles, or even situations of discrimination or sexism in your profession?

Yes, of course. As I’m often a freelancer, I work from home and I’m not in an editorial office, which perhaps reduces situations of sexism. But my very first internship was a landmark experience: a journalist from Le Parisien, whom I hardly knew, contacted me at the end of my internship and suggested I go to New York with him. At first I thought it was to cover the US Open, which excited me, but I soon realized that his intentions were different. It was a disappointment, because I’d thought it was for work. A few years ago, I contacted him again to explain the impact of his behavior, but he didn’t understand. It reminded me that in this profession, we’re often reduced to our condition as women.

What I hear from other colleagues who were able to testify in Marie Portolano’s documentary is that inappropriate behavior comes more often from colleagues or superiors than from the athletes themselves. In editorial departments, there’s a pack effect, which means that even men who don’t behave badly let it happen.

Of course, not all men behave this way, but between those who indulge in it, those who laugh, and those who let it go without saying anything, it ultimately creates very unpleasant situations for women. Then, these same men or their superiors will wonder why there aren’t more women in the profession or why women aren’t applying for these positions. It’s a vicious circle: the industry isn’t questioning itself enough, and isn’t yet committed enough to a thorough search for gender diversity.

We’re a long way from 50-50 parity. However, the association is aiming for a realistic target of 30% women, which would represent an increase of 5, 10 or even 15% in editorial staff. Studies have shown thatat 30%, the balance of power really shifts, and working conditions become more acceptable for minorities. This means doubling the number of women in the newsroom over the next few years.

Last year, in 2023, we got the leading media executives to sign a charter committing them to hiring more women and improving working conditions for those already in post. There’s still a long way to go.

This morning, I was reading an article about two Canal+ golf commentators who were suspended for spending three minutes making vulgar and obscene remarks about a golfer’s mother. Unfortunately, this is the atmosphere that persists in certain circles. I repeat, of course, not all men behave like this, but it’s clear that sexism is still rife in this environment.

I recently saw the documentary you’re talking about, and will of course include the link in the description. I have to admit I was flabbergasted by everything that went on in it. That there may still be sexist behavior, we unfortunately suspect, but what’s striking is the lack of reaction around it. In 2024, one would hope that at least one person would stand up and say to someone making inappropriate comments or engaging in inappropriate behavior, “No, stop, this is no longer acceptable.” And yet, no one does. I have the impression that evolution is really slow on this point. I hope it will eventually change, but it’s incredible to see that it still persists today.

The fact that the two journalists were immediately suspended shows that the channel reacted. It shows that there’s a red line that must not be crossed, but in the newsrooms, this rapid reaction is not yet systematic. Having more women in the newsroom is crucial if we are to make this less systemic. And we mustn’ t believe that only men know about sport !

How do you deal with this stereotype? Do you adopt a particular approach? Do you still have to prove, as a woman, that you really know your stuff? How do you deal with this kind of situation?

Yes, of course we still have to prove our expertise. Of course we do. Today, we have to continue to speak out, to show that we’re competent, to prove ourselves through our work. Fortunately, we have a few male allies in this fight, but the suspicion of illegitimacy still hangs over our heads.

Thanks to the association, I now know a lot of women sports journalists, and I’m noticing similarities in our profiles. There are more than 250 of us, with unique backgrounds, of course, but patterns often recur: many of us were the only girls to play soccer with the boys in the playground, a bit “free”, hotheads, passionate about sport, not afraid to assert themselves. Those who don’t have this profile are not yet very present in the profession.

Sports journalism suffers from other problems too. In specialist newsrooms such as Eurosport or L’Équipe, working in sports is prestigious. But in other media, sports writing is often a sub-editorate, less valued than politics or economics.

According to studies, the impostor syndrome particularly affects young girls at journalism school, as they feel less legitimate than the boys, who go to soccer every weekend and have often known the codes for a long time. Between this impression of illegitimacy and the image of an industry that seems less prestigious, some of them feel that they are likely to suffer in sports journalism, and prefer to turn to politics or other subjects. And so, little by little, they turn their backs on sport and fewer of them apply.

The changing role of women in sports journalism

It’s really an almost repulsive effect. Having said that, you’ve seen a lot of change in your career. Are you confident about the future, or do you think the situation is still very complex?

I think the situation remains complicated, but if we lose our optimism, we’ll stop fighting. So, yes, I’m an optimist, of course. I really hope we’re going to make it. I think, or at least I want to believe, that society is beginning to understand the importance of gender issues and the need to move towards greater equality. It’s not a foregone conclusion – as we can see from the current Mazan trial, nothing has yet been achieved. But at least we’re talking more about these issues today. We have to keep talking about it, keep training, keep raising our voices. I hope things will progress.

When it comes down to it, there are already so few of us in the newsroom that I don’t think there’s much room for improvement. At the Olympic Games, there were some encouraging signs: the public service set up a parity team for the coverage, with as many male as female journalists and consultants. Many of them were former sportswomen, which is still the case for the majority of female consultants, even if a few journalists are starting to appear. But this example needs to inspire other newsrooms and make progress. Yes, I’d like to believe that.

Media coverage of women’s sport

I want to believe in it too, I really do. I think yes, things are changing, and it’s partly thanks to associations like yours. Even if change remains slow, it does make a difference. Now, as far as women’s sport or sport “au féminin” is concerned – because even the choice of words is never simple – it remains sport above all. Do you think the media give it enough coverage these days?

It’s easy to answer this question, as the figures are so revealing: only 4.8% coverage on television and around 9% in the print media. In other words, media coverage of women’s sport remains inadequate. Female athletes are generally scorned, and their performances, however exceptional, are often considered less interesting. In comparison, men’s events, or even peripheral affairs, always take precedence. This inequality has become so habitual that it changes very little over the years.

Today, women’s sport is still mainly highlighted at major events such as the World Cup or the Olympic Games, but it has to be admitted that outside of these moments, female athletes are rarely visible. But that’s not enough. We need to go far beyond these one-off events. Media coverage must be increased, out of respect for these athletes and to avoid cutting ourselves off from an entire segment of the sport.

It’s time to realize that beyond soccer matches, there are other sports and other stories worth telling. The Olympic and Paralympic Games have shown that the emotion generated by these competitions is not limited to the most high-profile disciplines. There’s an urgent need to open up to other sports, other athletes, and to see what women’s sport has to offer, beyond a few exceptional events.

Is there a slight evolution in the general media, which are trying to allocate a little more space to women’s sport?

I don’t have the exact figures to hand, but Arcom publishes this data every year. And I have to admit, the results are pretty discouraging. For example, I mentioned earlier that coverage of women’s sport on television is 4.8%. On the other hand, if I’m not mistaken, the public service reaches 9%, twice as much as other media. This is a good thing, but it’s still not enough. Public service must go even further. Contrary to the arguments of the private sector, which claim that women’s sport doesn’t “sell”, the public service has a responsibility to free itself from these economic considerations and broadcast women’s sporting events more regularly.

We’re starting from such a low base that any progress is possible. In the years to come, it’s certain that we’ll be able to do much better.

It’s really ridiculous and, once again, it’s a vicious circle because the less women are shown, the less people know about them and the less they follow them…

And the less the sponsors support them, the less they can afford to perform, the less likely they are to perform. As a result, they’re not talked about, and it’s a vicious circle that’s been going on for years.

Tips for women

And in your opinion, what actions could be put in place to try and encourage women to join sports journalism?

I’d really advise women to go into this profession, because sports journalism, like journalism in general, is very varied. Being in contact with athletes is deeply inspiring. Each path is unique, but they all share an impressive determination, commitment and passion. It’s really motivating to follow their progress on a daily basis.

Personally, I chose this profession partly because I find that our world can sometimes be very harsh, and I needed a space that offered a little levity. After all, sport is sport: losing a match is difficult, of course, but it has nothing to do with the much more serious issues in the world. Having said that, I’m finding that I’ve finally integrated some complexity and politics into my work, notably by focusing on the place of women in sport.

It’s an extremely pleasant and stimulating job. Covering the Olympic and Paralympic Games was without doubt one of the best professional experiences I’ve ever had, especially in Paris. I made the most of it: in the morning, I’d leave for home at 9 a.m. and get home after midnight, for five weeks of competition. The adrenalin and emotion were incredible. Living through an event like that is an extraordinary experience.

Yes, it must have been really incredible. And finally, if you had to give advice to women who are hesitating, who would like to take the plunge but don’t dare, what would you tell them?

You really have to go for it, without hesitation. After a few years, they’ll see whether it suits them or not. You shouldn’t be afraid to specialize. As for me, I had some fears, particularly about the fact that handball is my preferred sport, I was afraid it would limit me or close doors. On the contrary, it actually opened some. Similarly, when I specialized in the place of women in sport, I also had my doubts, thinking it might be an obstacle. But there again, it was an asset. You have to dare to be yourself, to assert yourself and, above all, to join forces.

Being part of an all-women organization is extremely comforting. In our association, for example, every time a young woman joins us, we offer her the support of a more experienced mentor, so she never feels alone. What’s more, all our members know who is in their area, in their department, and can easily organize meetings. We also organize regular get-togethers to give everyone a chance to chat.

Whether in the association or in an editorial office, the important thing is never to find yourself isolated. It’s essential to have someone, or several people, to watch over your progress. This is a demanding job: the hours are staggered, the competition is tough, and many people would like to get into it, but few can make a living out of it. There are times when you wonder if you’ve made the right choice, especially when opportunities seem rare. But you have to persevere, work relentlessly and keep fighting.

Perfect, thank you very much, that’s a nice message to end on! Thanks for this exchange, I’ve learned a lot, so I think the listeners will have learned as much as I did.

Links

• Follow Mejdaline Mhiri on Linkedin
• Association of Women Sports Journalists
• Documentary by Marie Portolano “I’m not a slut, I’m a journalist”.