Gendered Power in Journalism - Stacey Henley, TheGamer

Grounded in feminist critical theory, this case study investigates how editorial authority shapes gendered discourse in gaming journalism. Coding 48 articles by Stacey Henley before and after her promotion to editor-in-chief at TheGamer reveals distinct shifts in her journalistic voice and affective engagement. Initially, Henley relied on measured critiques emphasizing incremental representational gains. As editor-in-chief, her discourse intensified, enabling an overtly critical stance against hegemonic masculinity, toxic workplace cultures, and performative diversity. This demonstrates that meaningful cultural change in male-dominated fields requires redistributing editorial power, moving marginalized groups from symbolic inclusion to genuine narrative authority. This study expands literature on gendered media production by addressing gaming journalism's unique institutional constraints. While gaming media frequently acts as an uncritical industry extension, this research illustrates how editorial power provides the platform necessary to prioritize ethical reporting, center marginalized voices, and challenge patriarchal norms of journalistic "objectivity."