What Is the Male Gaze in Media?
The male gaze is a concept describing how visual media often frames subjects from a masculine, heterosexual perspective, positioning the viewer as a man. It can shape how audiences perceive gender, power, and authority in news coverage.
How CNN Uses Visual Framing
CNN's broadcasts, graphics, and on-air talent selection can reflect the male gaze through camera angles, lighting, and editing choices. Research on news imagery shows that female experts are often shown in less authoritative poses, while male sources dominate screen time.
Why This Matters for Audiences
Framing influences perception of credibility and expertise. When news outlets rely on the male gaze, they may reinforce stereotypes about who holds knowledge or leadership. Readers can compare coverage across outlets to notice differences in representation.
Media literacy helps audiences identify gendered framing. Resources from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media provide data on representation trends in news and entertainment.
