Current issues faced by women media workers: A qualitative study across Turkey

This qualitative study is based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 21 women working in local media across various provinces of Türkiye (e.g., Ankara, Artvin, Aydın, Çanakkale, Diyarbakır, Edirne, Erzincan, Gümüşhane, Hakkâri, Hatay, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Konya, Mersin, Sinop, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Van, Yozgat). The study aims to holistically reveal-at structural, organizational, and professional levels-the current problems women face in local media, their responses to these problems, and their expectations for solutions. The sample was formed through purposive / maximum variation sampling, ensuring role diversity (reporter, anchor, editor, camera operator, news editor-in-chief, publisher, etc.) and regional breadth. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis; trustworthiness was enhanced through member checking, peer debriefing, and maintaining an audit trail. Findings clustered under ten themes: (1) gender regime and institutional inequality, (2) pressure–violence–workplace bullying (mobbing), (3) resistance and resilience strategies, (4) future perceptions, (5) the political–economic configuration of the media, (6) family/social roles and work–life balance, (7) editorial autonomy and neutrality, (8) dynamics of hope and hopelessness, (9) the need for women-specific legal mechanisms and commemorative days, and (10) women's contributions to the sector. Results indicate that women's career continuity is rendered fragile by a male-dominated organizational culture, non-meritocratic promotions, funding dependence, digital/online and offline violence, and the operation of the care regime. Nevertheless, "conditional hope" is sustained through collective organizing, professional specialization, solidarity networks, and ethical journalism. The study develops actionable policy proposals for gender equality in local media, including institutional gender action plans, rapid-response protocols against violence, transparent promotion–pay systems, care–work integration (childcare/flexible scheduling), and independent funding mechanisms.