Breaking barriers: The growing influence of women in media and tech innovation

Breaking Barriers: The Growing Influence of Women in Media and Tech Innovation

The United Kingdom's media and technology landscapes are undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing influence and contributions of women. Their presence fosters diverse perspectives, innovation, and a more inclusive industry. PressHop, a groundbreaking citizen journalism platform, is poised to accelerate this shift with its mid-2025 UK launch. By empowering smartphone users to capture and sell real-time content, PressHop aims to revolutionise content sourcing and create "real impact," aligning with the movement towards a more equitable and authentic media landscape. This launch signifies a major step in introducing something truly substantial to the UK.  

The evolving landscape: Women in UK journalism

While women constitute nearly half of UK journalism , significant disparities persist. Two-thirds of newer journalists are women, but this drops to 36% for women over 50, suggesting a "leaky pipeline" possibly due to age discrimination. A gender pay gap exists, with men typically earning more than women. Men also dominate top management roles (63% vs. 37% for women).  

Workplace culture presents challenges: women face higher work-related stress (33% vs. 26% for men) and gendered threats, including sexual harassment (22% reporting over five years, likely underestimated). This environment can lead to self-censorship or women leaving the profession.  

Spotlight on trailblazers: Women shaping UK journalism today

Despite challenges, women like digital innovator Sophia Smith Galer , editor Lesley-Anne Kelly , and TV host Suzanne Reid make significant contributions. Leaders such as Charlotte Moore (BBC) and Anne Mensah (Netflix) hold powerful positions, championing diversity. Advocates like Luba Kassova and thought leaders like Anita Zielina drive change. Their successes, while inspiring, underscore the need for systemic solutions and platforms like PressHop that democratise access for broader content creation.  

Driving innovation: Women in UK tech

Driving Innovation: Women in UK Tech

The UK tech sector shows progress, with women and non-binary individuals comprising 29% of tech employees, the highest recorded by the Tech Talent Charter. However, challenges persist. Only 27% of female students consider a tech career, with just 3% as their first choice, partly due to a lack of visible female role models and perceived male dominance.   

The future outlook is "bleak" due to high attrition rates; one in three women plan to leave their tech jobs, often due to career development dissatisfaction and work-life balance. The gender pay gap in tech is reportedly worsening. Women hold only 20% of software engineering roles and 21% of senior tech positions. All-female founder teams raised a mere 8.2% of venture capital deals in 2023, and women-founded AI startups secured only 2% of funding.  

Female founders and innovators: Paving the way

Despite hurdles, women lead innovative tech companies: Lourdes Agapito (Synthesia) , Mikela Druckman (Greyparrot.AI) , Priya Lakhani OBE (CENTURY) , Michelle He (Abound) , and Anne Boden (Starling Bank).  

PressHop, as a tech platform, aligns with the "force for good" narrative attracting women to technology, as half of female students prioritise work that "makes the world a better place". Its mission to empower smartphone users to share "real-world moments anonymously" resonates, creating a pathway for women to become "tech-enabled" content creators.  

PressHop: A catalyst for inclusive innovation

PressHop: A Catalyst for Inclusive Innovation

Empowering citizen journalists: A new paradigm for women in journalism

PressHop guarantees 100% anonymity, allowing users to capture and sell content without revealing personal details. This counters gendered threats and harassment, enabling fearless contributions. Flexible monetisation and direct earnings empower women to earn on their own terms, bypassing traditional structures contributing to the gender pay gap. By connecting "everyday smartphone users" with news publications, PressHop democratises access, fostering diverse voices beyond traditional gatekeepers.  

Revolutionising content sourcing for a diverse media ecosystem

Publishers gain access to a continuous content flow, with rigorous three-level verification ensuring authenticity. PressHop aims to "cut out middlemen, slash costs, and deliver speed, authenticity, and transparency" , fostering a more equitable creator-publisher relationship, promoting "diversity in media tech."  

PressHop’s commitment: Aligned with a vision for equality

PressHop’s mission to empower "real people" to share "real stories" for "real impact" inherently champions diverse voices. By leveraging technology to solve social problems, it resonates with women in tech seeking positive impact. This positions PressHop as a force for diversifying news content sources, leading to more representative storytelling.  

Beyond the barriers: A collective vision for the future

PressHop operates within a broader ecosystem of initiatives advancing women in media and tech.

Organisations like Women in Film & TV (UK) and Women in Journalism (WIJ) provide professional development. PublisHer addresses gender imbalances in publishing , and the Media Diversity Institute (MDI) promotes nuanced reporting. In tech, the Tech She Can Charter and groups like Girls in Tech work to increase female representation. The UK government supports initiatives like CyberFirst Girls and projects for girls in AI careers. New protections against sexual harassment and the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) aim to improve workplace culture.  

Navigating the DEI landscape: A strategic imperative

Despite a recent "backlash" against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts , evidence consistently shows that diverse workplaces drive improved decision-making, higher profitability, and greater innovation. DEI remains a strategic business imperative.   

PressHop’s forward momentum: Leading the charge for an equitable future

Persistent challenges like pay gaps and funding disparities highlight the need for continuous, multi-faceted efforts. PressHop's market-driven approach offers a unique, bottom-up solution, directly addressing safety and flexible earning, complementing existing programs. In the face of DEI backlash, PressHop's commercially viable model demonstrates that inclusivity drives innovation and economic value, making its contribution to "diversity in media tech" robust and essential.

Conclusion: Shaping tomorrow's headlines, today

The growing influence of women in UK journalism and tech innovation marks a transformative period. PressHop stands as a powerful catalyst, directly addressing key challenges and empowering diverse voices. The convergence of women's increasing influence, technological innovation, and PressHop's unique platform promises a future where journalism is more authentic, diverse, and truly representative. PressHop is not just adapting to the future of media; it is actively shaping it by creating a more equitable playing field for content creators, particularly women. Its mid-2025 UK launch is poised to redefine the landscape of news and innovation for years to come.