Grandmothers, Ministers, or Political Agent? Competing Media Narratives of Women Politicians in Malaysian GE15

Abstract

How women politicians are portrayed in the news can significantly impact public perception of their legitimacy and competence. This study compares how two Malaysian news outlets – mainstream The Star Online and independent Malaysiakini – covered women politicians during Malaysia’s 2022 general election. Through content analysis of news articles, we found notable differences in coverage approaches. The Star Online tended to highlight women’s personal attributes (like motherhood and age) over their policies and often presented women as passive recipients of political opportunities granted by men. In contrast, Malaysiakini more frequently emphasized women's professional backgrounds, policy positions, and acknowledged barriers women face in politics. Despite these differences, both outlets shared problematic patterns, including primarily identifying women by their gender and treating their political participation as unusual. The study reveals that women politicians face contradictory standards – needing exceptional qualifications while facing heightened scrutiny. While both outlets reflect gender biases, independent media showed more balanced coverage of women politicians. This research helps us understand how media coverage shapes public perception of women in politics and suggests ways to improve political reporting.