Beyond the Headlines: Rethinking Language, Gender, and Inclusivity in Israeli Journalism

Romy Neumark, Gerard Weinstock Visiting Lectuer, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

Journalist Romy Neumark will recount her journey in the Israeli media, from her initial appearance on screen to her previous role as TV news anchor for the Israeli public broadcasting corporation.

Hebrew is a gendered language, and Romy made history as the first news anchor to engage directly with her female viewers at eye level, actively contributing to the development of gender-neutral Hebrew that eliminates bias. She will explain how this experience has shaped her perspective on news as a tool for inclusivity. Her program’s team worked diligently to bring diverse and intricate stories to the screen—narratives often overlooked elsewhere, giving a voice to underrepresented communities.

Her commitment to promoting inclusiveness in the news industry and challenging established patterns and structures has led her to Harvard. In her talk, Neumark will elaborate on her plans and vision for the future.

Co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies, the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard