Irish Music Industry Under Fire for Gender Bias in Radio Playlists, Ireland

Data reveals the stark reality of gender inequality in the Irish music industry. According to the WhyNotHer? collective, only 3% of the top 100 most played songs on Irish radio in 2023 were sung by Irish women. This figure dropped to 0% in the previous year. This lack of representation makes it extremely difficult for female artists to build a following, perform at major events, and secure record deals. In contrast, the UK music industry responded to similar data by establishing diversity working groups and achieving near gender parity in their top 100 songs. However, Irish radio stations have not taken substantial action to address their bias against Irish female musicians, despite being aware of the issue for four years. This conscious bias threatens the economic, social, and cultural impact of the Irish music scene, and Government intervention is necessary to bring about change. A culture audit of the industry, accountability for lack of diversity, protection against workplace harassment, and transparency in media business models are essential steps toward achieving gender equality in the Irish music landscape.