Hegemonies may come in a variety of forms and based around gender, ethnicity, religion, class or other considerations. Over time, hegemonic power structures can become almost invisible as they become an unquestioned aspect of the society in which they are based.  Journalists have a particularly important role to play in identifying and challenging these hierarchies, especially when they inhibit the exploration of alternative ideas or the accurate representation on local realities. (See more in Encyclopaedia Britannica)