If you wanted an illustration of how the patriachy works to keep female voices from being heard, you’d be hard pressed to go beyond Newshub’s reporting of the poisoning scare at Carterton South School.
As readers will recall, school children reported a bad smell and associated queasiness. The school was locked down and the kids decontaminated. It was three days before it was confirmed that it was a truck load of compost delivered to a neighbour that caused the odour.
There had been all sorts of rumours, including reports of a low flying plane dropping something from the sky. But it was a truck. A truck full of compost.
So where does the patriarchy come in?
Well, if you watch this clip, from the day the scare happened, you’ll see something sadly normal. A school boy, James, is interviewed for a minute, then his Dad is asked some questions.
The reporter then asks James a further question and James says his sister reckons she knows what caused the smell. Watch from the 2 minute mark to get the full picture.
Now, I’m not singling the reporter out here. Alex Baird is a thoughtful, conscientious journalist. We’ve had a brief chat and the interview, which was live, was cut short by his producer so they could move on to the next item. And the two sisters were asked pre-interview if they’d like to talk and both declined.
So, clearly, there was no deliberate intent to silence the only person who actually knew what was going on. But that still happened.
And, by ignoring the girl, who does volunteer the correct information at the end of the interview, Newshub missed out on a scoop. They could have identified the source of the smell only hours after the incident, rather than two days later. No doubt they’ll learn from the experience.
But what does the schoolgirl learn?
Maybe shut up while the boys are talking? Or, your opinion doesn’t count?
No wonder she looks so pissed off during the interview!
This is one of the ways patriarchy dominates. It starts when we are children, whether we know it or not. And even the best of us can unconsciously contribute to the retention of a male dominated society.
You know what? She’s owed an apology for being cut short. And she deserves to have her name known and her accurate reporting of the facts acknowledged by Newshub.
It’s the least they can do.
Tip off from Sandra R.
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress