Why Many Female Journalism Students Are Turning Away From the Newsroom

By Godswill Lawal

For years, universities across Nigeria have recorded a steady rise in the number of women studying Mass Communication and Journalism. In many lecture halls, female students dominate discussions, assignments, and newsroom simulations—driven by a shared desire to tell meaningful stories and shape public conversations.

Yet beyond graduation ceremonies, the reality looks different. In professional newsrooms, the presence of these young women is far less visible, creating a quiet but troubling gap between aspiration and practice.

Dreams That Meet Reality

As an undergraduate, Osondu Priscilla once imagined herself reporting from the heart of breaking news, microphone in hand, shaping national conversations.

“I loved stories,” she recalls. “I grew up listening to the radio and imagining myself there. That curiosity pushed me into journalism.”

But as her training progressed, the excitement began to fade. Classroom discussions about field reporting—particularly in hostile environments—forced her to confront realities she had not previously considered.

“When I understood the risks, especially reporting in dangerous areas with little or no security support, I became afraid,” she says. “The excitement reduced.”

Priscilla’s experience mirrors that of many female journalism students: enthusiasm at entry, followed by growing hesitation as the realities of the profession become clearer.

Invisible in a Profession They Once Hoped to Change

Several women interviewed describe journalism as a profession that demands courage, endurance, and sacrifice—often without the institutional support needed to make those demands sustainable.

Victoria, a Mass Communication graduate, recalls how safety discussions during lectures suddenly felt personal.

“Journalists are sent to risky places without protection,” she says. “When you imagine yourself in those situations, you begin to question whether passion alone is enough.”

Safety concerns are only part of the challenge. Many respondents also point to sexual harassment, job insecurity, and poor remuneration as major deterrents.

For some, harassment is not limited to fieldwork or interactions with the public. It can also emerge within newsroom hierarchies.

“It’s not just the danger outside,” explains Chisom Benedicta. “Women worry about sexual harassment from superiors. Add long working hours, poor pay, and the pressure of balancing work and family, and many decide it’s not worth it.”

The Cost of Missing Role Models

Another recurring concern is the lack of visible female leadership in newsrooms.

“Sometimes you need someone who has lived the experience to guide you,” Victoria says. “When you don’t see many women in editorial leadership, it’s hard to imagine yourself staying long enough to get there.”

This absence creates a self-perpetuating cycle. As fewer women remain in the newsroom, fewer rise to decision-making positions—reducing mentorship opportunities and slowing institutional change from within.

New Media, New Choices

Rather than abandon storytelling entirely, many female graduates are simply choosing different paths.

Public relations, digital media, and independent content creation have become attractive alternatives—offering flexibility, autonomy, and in some cases, better income.

“These options feel safer,” Priscilla explains. “You can work remotely, build your own audience, and sometimes earn more than traditional newsroom jobs.”

For many women, media entrepreneurship provides stability where traditional reporting offers prestige but little protection.

What Would Make Women Stay?

Despite their reservations, the women interviewed do not see the newsroom as a lost cause. Instead, they outline reforms that could make journalism more inclusive and sustainable for women.

Three solutions emerged repeatedly: improved safety measures, zero tolerance for sexual harassment, and better pay structures.

Some also advocate clearer newsroom policies on field assignments, including team-based reporting and accountability systems for staff safety—especially for sensitive or high-risk beats.

“Women shouldn’t be excluded from important stories,” Victoria says. “But there should be better structures—working in teams, avoiding risky solo assignments, and knowing someone is responsible for your safety.”

Mentorship programmes and intentional inclusion of women in leadership roles were also identified as critical to rebuilding trust in the profession.

A Profession Still Worth Returning To?

Despite stepping away from traditional newsrooms, many of these women still believe deeply in journalism’s mission—to inform the public, expose injustice, and amplify unheard voices.

Their decisions reflect not a rejection of storytelling, but a demand for environments where their safety, dignity, and labour are respected.

As Nigerian universities continue graduating cohorts filled with passionate young women, the question now shifts to the industry itself:

Will the newsroom evolve to welcome them—or continue losing them to spaces where their voices feel safer and more valued?