CHARACTERISTICS OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF WOMEN POLITICIANS

Abstract

The study examines the specifics of media construction of a female politician’s image, using the coverage of Kamala Harris in Russian media as a case study. The research analyzes mechanisms of media image formation through the lens of gender stereotypes, professional achievements, and personal characteristics. Based on a comprehensive analysis of Russian media publications, key trends in the representation of women politicians are identified, including the influence of traditional gender stereotypes, the “glass cliff” phenomenon, and the transformation of perceptions regarding women’s role in politics. The study demonstrates how media balance between presenting Harris’s professional achievements and emphasizing her personal characteristics. Special attention is paid to Harris’s unique position as both an ethnic minority representative and a female politician. The research results show a gradual shift in media discourse from traditional gender stereotypes toward more balanced coverage of women politicians’ professional activities, despite persistent prejudices and stereotypical categories in the media space.