Survey Reveals Widespread Muslim Discrimination Faced by Women in UK Media
Muslim women across British media say they are experiencing alarming levels of bias and inequality in their workplaces, according to a new survey conducted by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM).
The report, based on responses from over 100 Muslim women employed in print, broadcast, and digital media, highlights what the centre describes as "startling levels of systematic discrimination."
The findings reveal that the situation has become particularly acute in the wake of ongoing media coverage of the Israeli war on Gaza. Many respondents reported being subjected to stereotyping, microaggressions, and unequal treatment in their newsrooms.
Over 90% of participants stated that negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims are deeply embedded within UK media institutions. In addition, 86% said the media's coverage of Gaza has had a negative impact on their mental health.
Read More:
According to the report, titled Muslim Women in the Media: Breaking Barriers, Bearing the Burden, nearly three-quarters of respondents said they had faced direct discrimination because of their Muslim identity. More than 80% questioned their long-term future in the profession following how their outlets reported on the October 7 operation of Palestinian groups.
Over a third of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their current roles, citing a lack of advancement and experiences of being used as symbolic hires without actual influence. Nearly two-thirds of the women surveyed said they had considered leaving the media altogether.
Rizwana Hamid, director of CfMM, described the findings as a call for urgent reform. “This report is a wake-up call,” she said. “These findings are not isolated complaints — they expose a systemic failure. Muslim women have been asked to perform diversity without being given real editorial power. This isn’t just about representation, it’s about fairness, credibility, and the future of British journalism.”
Read More:
As reported by The National (thenational.scot), the study is the first of its kind to offer a comprehensive look into the professional lives of Muslim women in the UK media sector. The report includes personal reflections from 33 Muslim journalists, including well-known figures such as Mishal Husain, Fatima Manji, and Ash Sarkar.
Several anonymous responses paint a bleak picture of the newsroom environment. One woman said she encounters Islamophobia “every day.”
Another shared that she hasn’t made a single friend since entering the industry. One respondent said she never wants to work in a newsroom again, while another described feeling under constant scrutiny and unheard.
Source: Agencies
