Female news anchors' emotions are often criticized

There is an ongoing discussion about whether or not news anchors should show their emotions or hold them back while they are on screen. Some argue that emotions show that the anchors are humans, just like the viewers watching. Others argue that they should conceal it and only deliver the news in an informative way. 

Women are often criticized for showcasing emotions on air, while men are praised for it. I looked up "female news anchor getting emotional," and chose the first video- "Rachel Maddow breaks down during report on 'tender age' shelters." In the video, Maddow has to eventually toss to a different anchor because she was about to cry while delivering the story. 

June 2018

The first three comments on the YouTube video are... 

One of the commenters went out of their way to misgender Maddow. Many of the other comments were similar- commenting on her appearance, credibility and lack of composure. 

Next, I searched "male news anchor getting emotional." I found a video titled "Anderson Cooper's emotional message to Haiti." Cooper also gets choked up while delivering the story. 

January 2018

The first three comments on the YouTube video are...

The majority of comments are about how moving his speech was and how "emotions are never a sign of weakness." 

I am aware of the difference in stories and that the same people are not giving the same comments on both videos, but it goes to show that men and women are often perceived differently when they "lack composure" or show emotions while on television.