Nicole Maduro - Curaçao Collapse
"The media as a whole are often seen as "the enemy", a nuisance or even redundant. Many people do not understand the importance of journalists, and specifically: the importance of women journalists. Because of the issues women journalists face on a daily basis, they carry a heavy burden. We should all be more appreciated for the work we do, but it benefits everyone to know the extra miles women journalists have to travel to get you the news you read or watch."
Listen to Nicole Maduro telling her story here:
For the first three years of my career in Curaçao, at the largest TV station on the island, I was the only woman in the news department consisting of 12 men. I gained a thick skin to confront not only sexist language, but also inappropriate behaviour from even top management. Such behaviour is often not frowned upon in our Dutch Caribbean culture because it is considered 'part of the culture', even in a work environment.
In Curaçao, the online community can be cruel. They either carry you on a pedestal for the work you do as a journalist or they destroy you. As a woman, I have always been extra careful because in this culture, unfortunately, your looks and how you behave also play a role. Fortunately, no (woman) journalist has ever been threatened to the point of becoming a complete recluse. At election time my employer hires a private security company, armed, to sit outside our premises. Because as a newsroom we have received death threats over the years.
I believe journalism is a calling. The world is constantly changing and as professional newsreaders, we are anchors in a sea of events and information, which can be overwhelming. Knowing that a community relies on my colleagues and me to stay aware of what is happening around them, to help them make certain decisions, gets me out of bed every day.
The media as a whole are often seen as "the enemy", a nuisance or even redundant. Many people do not understand the importance of journalists, and specifically: the importance of women journalists. Because of the issues women journalists face on a daily basis, they carry a heavy burden. We should all be more appreciated for the work we do, but it benefits everyone to know the extra miles women journalists have to travel to get you the news you read or watch.
As women journalists, we need to support each other. We need to stand strong. It is important that your work speaks for itself, but stand up for yourself when necessary. Never let anyone, even other women, convince you that you can not do it because of your gender. Be loud. Be proud.