For 2026, the INAF Brera Astronomical Observatory is organizing a series of monthly meetings on issues of gender, disability, identity, aesthetic pressure, and neurodivergence, entitled: “Shades of Red for the Coexistence of Differences.”
Title of the third conference 2026: “News, sports, and science: this is how we talk about women.”
Speakers: Maria Teresa Manuelli and Maria Luisa Villa of GiULiA (United Free Autonomous Journalists)
Date and location: April 15, 2026 – 2:30 PM – At the meeting room at the Milan office – Via Brera 28, Milan
Abstract: How are women portrayed in the Italian media? Often trapped in gender stereotypes, relegated to marginal roles, or portrayed through the filter of prejudice, even when they are protagonists in science or sports. The conference, organized by the journalists of the GiULiA (Giornaliste Unite Libere Autonome) association, offers a critical and constructive analysis of contemporary journalistic language.
The panel will be structured around the following key points:
- GiULiA’s identity: Who we are and why our association was born from the need to change the information culture, promoting a fair and respectful representation of women in society.
- The proof of the pudding: A visual overview of iconic newspaper headlines to analyze how “color,” sensationalism, and cognitive biases still distort the narrative of current affairs and women’s successes today.
- Tools for Change: The Sui Generis Review: What it is and why daily information monitoring is essential to dismantling the automatic mechanisms of sexist language.
- Giving Voice to Expertise: 100esperte: Presentation of the online database designed to combat the phenomenon of “manels” (all-male panels) and give visibility to female excellence in historically underrepresented sectors such as science, economics, and sport.
The goal of the meeting is to provide professionals and citizens with the tools to read between the lines and promote journalism that finally reflects reality, transcending stereotypes.
Speaker Bios:
Maria Teresa Manuelli: Professional journalist, she is a member of the National Board of Directors of GiULiA Giornaliste. For years, she has been at the forefront of bias-free reporting, promoting several training courses and the “Women, Grammar, and Media” project, aimed at promoting the correct use of gender-sensitive language in newsrooms. An expert in economics and innovation, she dedicates her work to dismantling stereotypes and promoting the visibility of women’s skills in public debate and the media.
Maria Luisa Villa: A professional journalist, she worked for three decades at Corriere della Sera. She is a member of the Giulia Giornaliste Association, particularly in the 100esperte and Enwe projects. She participates in the monthly press review Sui Generis and collaborated on the book “Come si parla di donne” (How to Talk About Women) published by the Murialdi Foundation for Journalism.
At the link below you can find the 9th report of the Map of Intolerance developed by Vox Observatory of Rights which measured hate speech on X in 2025. Women are still the most hated but other women are also increasingly hating them: distribution of hate speech in Italy
Indico page with all material: https://indico.ict.inaf.it/event/3521/
