Jessica O'ConnorA new report by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) revealed that 92% of Muslim women working in UK media believe negative attitudes toward Islam and Muslims are embedded within media organisations.
The report, titled “Muslim Women in the Media: Breaking Barriers, Bearing the Burden,” was based on a survey of 102 Muslim women across print, broadcast and online journalism.
The findings highlighted widespread experiences of discrimination and exclusion.
According to the report, 72% of respondents said they had personally experienced direct discrimination linked to their Muslim identity.
In addition, 81% believed Muslim women are unfairly represented in mainstream media, and 35% expressed dissatisfaction with their current roles.
The report also documented the mental health impact of recent news coverage.
86% of respondents said reporting on the war in Gaza had negatively affected their mental health.
A further 85% reported questioning their future in journalism, and 60% said they had considered leaving the industry altogether.
While 70% of participants said they had some opportunity to influence media narratives, many described these as limited.
Several respondents reported being assigned mainly to stories related to Islam or Muslim communities, often without opportunities for broader journalistic work.
Pay disparities, limited career progression, and pressure to conform to editorial lines were also cited as concerns.
Rizwana Hamid, director of CfMM said the findings reflect a pattern of marginalisation and systemic bias in the industry.
She added: “This unprecedented report has evidenced that Muslim women are shaping UK journalism through intellect, resilience and courage, often in environments that neither affirm their identities nor protect their wellbeing.”
