Abstract:
Sports journalism, traditionally a male-dominated field, is undergoing a notable shift as women increasingly enter the profession,
both in developed nations and across Africa. However, despite the progress made by women globally since the 1970s, compared
to the Global North, the presence of female sports journalists remains low in Tanzania. Grounded in media feminism theory, this
study explored the perceptions of women sports journalists regarding sports reporting, identifies the barriers they face, and
examines the role of editors in promoting greater female participation in Tanzanian newsrooms. Data were collected through
interviews with sports editors and female journalists from 10 media outlets based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The findings reveal
that while sports editors in Tanzania are making efforts to ensure equal opportunities and empowerment for women in sports
coverage, a widespread negative public perception of female sports journalists persists. This study reveals that female sports
journalists in Dar es Salaam continue to encounter challenges in interviewing sources and combating sexual harassment and
gender-based violence.
