The candid anecdotes shared by three of Australia’s leading journalists at the recent “Women in Media” night would make a corker read, but alas you had to be there – honesty comes with an “off the record’’ price tag.

The ABC’s Heather Ewart, The Age’s Gay Alcorn and The Australian’s Corrie Perkin spoke frankly about their experiences in journalism and shared tips with the audience of 114 women and one bloke about how to get ahead.

Their tales from Canberra’s Parliament House, football locker rooms and editorial news conferences provoked several gasps of shocked disbelief and much laughter.

In a year when the top four Walkley awards were taken out by women, it was questioned whether the sisterhood was really doing all that badly in the journalism stakes.

But then a critique of those who run the show in media organisations confirmed a paucity of women in power. Whether more women would change the news mix and boost falling newspaper circulation was open to debate.

The best advice could be used on all journalists, whether girls or boys – take risks, put yourself forward and choose a sympathetic partner.
The special Alliance event, hosted by SBS’s RocKwiz star Julia Zemiro, was so successful that it is likely to become a regular event. Blokes welcome.

By Meaghan Shaw