Women In Media Reflect On 2025: What Changed, What Stayed And What’s Next

The year 2025 has done more than move fast, for women in media, the year activated many changes. Yet the basics of the media industry stayed the same and the work didn’t change, just the pressure of how it’s done did. Constant shifts in platforms, layoffs, newsrooms getting smaller and evolving expectations, women in media were forced to make decisions about what they would prioritize, tolerate, and walk away from.

Across journalism, television, digital publishing, podcasting, and content creation, women in media are recalibrating how to be heard and a trusted voice, navigate uncertainty and have stability, while also preparing for what’s next.

At the top of this year, CNN announced the layoff of about 200 people as they restructured to focus on a better digital strategy. And while layoffs often occur in any industry, this year women decided to become more vocal about it. 

“More women are openly talking about burnout, pay inequities, job instability, and the emotional toll of constantly having to prove value in spaces that rely on our creativity but do not always protect us,“ said Meaghan Taylor, CEO of Women In Radio.

Despite many layoffs, opportunities have arisen such as the streaming market which is “valued at $99.82 billion” as of 2024. This has created new visibility possibilities, however the industry still rewards the “hustle grind” of media, and values the control over how one uses their voice. Because of all these factors, many women have decided to go the entrepreneurial route, and there’s been a rise in women owning their own personal brands and independent platforms.

“This year [we] focus[ed] more on content that was funny, light hearted, [and] feel good vibes,” said Kristen Oakley, Social Media Producer of Daytime Talk Show Sherri. 

And when it comes to the content and social side, the tone of how stories are shown shifted. According to UNESCO’s flagship report, there’s a historic 10% decline in freedom of expression and journalism. Women in the media have been caught up in either not being able to express themselves fully or facing criticism for how and what they show online. That coupled with industry changes can weigh women down heavily. So creating content centered around humor and warmth, was a reflection of what audiences needed to see and experience when it comes to storytelling and engagement.

“In an era where anyone can grab a microphone and publish content, misinformation can spread as quickly as something goes viral. Fact-checking remains foundational to journalism and is what separates credibility from noise,“ said Emmy-nominated journalist and correspondent Ashlee Brown. 

Media has definitely expanded and spaces have become more culturally-driven, but one thing remains never changing which is the foundation of journalism. Ashlee also said her “local news background translates seamlessly into entertainment” because she focuses on the research as her starting point before the content. And media is at a point where the lines are blurred and it’s hard to distinguish between trained, educated journalists and content creators who storytell from a place of passion driven by personality and entertainment. 

“Although publications like VIBE do meaningful work, they’re also operating as businesses navigating consolidation, cost-cutting, and technology shifts. Once I accepted that, the decision [to be laid off] felt less personal and more structural,” says former VIBE staff writer Amber Corrine.

According to the Women In Media Dataset report, women make up 49% of the media workforce but hold only 30% of Chief Executive and Managing Director roles. Business infrastructures seem to still lack support for women to navigate the increased pressure of the industry with a lack of strong support or recognition. Tensions continue to rise across levels from both the business and creative sides, causing a 2% increase that totals 59% of women expressing their career progress dissatisfaction.

“I think leaders and creators need to be far more intentional about protecting voice, access, and community. Voice, in the sense of not diluting who you are to remain employable,” Meaghan said. “Access, because relationships and opportunities still determine longevity in this industry. And community, because isolation is one of the biggest threats to women in media.”

As Meaghan is approaching the tenth year of her annual Women In Radio conference, she reflected on the importance of spaces like this for longevity. She said “building systems beyond a single panel, post, or viral moment” is key. And creating a space for women to evolve with the landscape and not just perform helps change the narrative of what’s to come in media. 

“In an ever-changing media landscape, knowing your rights matters in this industry and education is protection,” Ashlee said.

Whether you’re in traditional news or journalism, or in the digital creative space, you should know the ins and outs of the business from every angle that way. That allows you to protect yourself and make creative choices that align on both ends.

Based on these reflections, the future of media relies heavily on intentionality on what you’re creating, protection over your voice and creativity, and positioning yourself as a brand that can sustain the ever changing media landscape.