This study explores the expression of idealism and identity construction of millennial female journalists in Surabaya, Indonesia. The research found that millennial female journalists express their idealism through subtle news language, perspectives that prioritize women's feelings, the ability to master media technology, and overall professionalism. Outwardly, these journalists construct their identities by dressing in typical business attire, acting with confidence, and playing the role of a journalist. This media management system shapes the journalists' self-constructions of their professional identities as the expression of their idealism.

• Millennial female journalists express their idealism through subtle news language, perspectives prioritizing women's feelings, mastery of media technology, and professionalism
• Millennial female journalists construct their identities outwardly by dressing in business attire, acting confidently, and playing the role of a journalist
• The media management system shapes the journalists' self-constructions of their professional identities as an expression of their idealism

This study describes the expression of idealism and identity construction of millennial female journalists in Surabaya, Indonesia. First, the journalist profession per se does not differentiate between the male and female gender. However, the reality is that the expression of idealism can be constructed differently among female and male journalists. This difference in construction is due to socio-cultural backgrounds, education, and the context of the current (news) events. Millennial female journalists express their idealism by constructing their inherent identity as women. The idealism of journalism is expressed through language from the perspective of women (including motherhood), using ethical, refined, and polite language, knowledgeability, and technology-savvy, as well as professionalism.


Second, the identity construction of millennial female journalists moves from individual identities as women to the identities of media groups or organizations. Women’s identities are presented through clothing symbols as a precautionary measure against verbal and non-verbal harassment, as female journalists who have self-confidence and are professional and are able to demonstrate their roles as a professional journalist and as a wife and part of their family. Meanwhile, the identity construction of female journalists in media organizations tends to follow the regulations that apply in those media institutions. Nevertheless, identity that is affiliated with media organizations holds the potential for the expression differences in identity construction as individuals and as members of media organizations. Media organizations make rules that all female and male journalists must follow. The implications of such regulation of media organizations contribute to the fading of the idealism of female journalists as individuals and to merging into the identity of female journalists as media organizations.


This research produces theoretical implications that the idealism built around women’s equality with men in all dimensions of life finds a steep path. The reality is that in many countries, there are still inequalities between women and men in the journalism profession. Men are more dominant in the work of journalists by occupying strategic positions in decision-making. Meanwhile, women occupy roles that are not strategic in developing their ideals as journalists. The primary practical implication of the results of this research is the need for solid encouragement from various elements of the world community so that women are given the same rights and privileges as men in the field of journalism.