MEST 3: CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES: Media Guardian Top 100 (2010)

The Guardian 100 is an annual guide which includes the most powerful people in the media. Most of the people mentioned in the guide are working in television, radio, newspapers, magazines, digital media, media business, advertising, marketing, and PR (Public Relations). The intial guide was created by a panel of experienced media watchers from the worlds of politics, journalism, advertising and the internet. They judged the candidates on three criteria: cultural influence, economic clout and political influence. Out of the panellists, most of them are white males, with the exception of Trevor Phillips who is black.

In the Guardian guide, there are a meagre 12 women who are included in the top 100, with most of the list dominated by men, which shows the dominant and hegemonic elite. Though most of the women, work for the BBC, and broadcasting in particular. In this case, the women have higher roles; either as chief executives, directors or as chairwomen.

Out of the 100, there are 16 women, which would equate to about 16% of the 100, as men are seemingly more successful in this case, with Larry Page and Sergey Brin , creators of Google, at the top. In my opinion, the balance of power would be decided by thier social, political and economic influence, as Steve Jobs has had success with Apple and the Apple I phone 4. As well as this, the list is contained of rich white men, which signifies how the white people are in control of the fourth estate. The inclusion of women could signify how women have more power, as they have higher positions in the media, though could be marginalised, as men such as Larry Page and Sergey Brin are more successful on an international scale.

Example of 3 of top 10 women on Guardian guide