NOW-NYC Media Watch
Bias Busters: Help Us Get the Word Out on Sexist Media & Advertising
Call it and Get Heard!
From sexist media coverage of the presidential campaign to advertising that sexualizes little girls, sexism in the media is rampant. Help us put a stop to the most egregious violations by calling it when you see it. We've done it before: NOW-NYC got a Calvin Klein display of nude child mannequins pulled from its window in less than 24 hours, and we worked with other women's rights groups to pressure Dolce & Gabbana to end an ad campaign that glamourized rape. Our voices have power. Help us get the word out about sexist media and advertising:
1) Call It!
Send examples of sexist media coverage to contact@nownyc.org or report to us at 212.627.9895. We'll post the examples on our website and let members know where to direct comments.
2) Get Heard!
Then help get the word out: write a letter to the editor, blog about it, and complain directly to the media outlet. Hold journalists and the media accountable. Then pass your message along to five friends and get them to take action too.
...................................................................................................................................
Finally some Good News: Keira Knightley Says No to Digital Enhancement
Keira Knightley took an admirable stand against Hollywood when she told them to not digitally enhance her body in her next film. Knightley was shocked when she recognized her breasts were enhanced in her last movie, The Duchess, and now is ensuring Hollywood won’t do it again. Hollywood conglomerates continue to create unrealistic images of the female body and we thank Keira for being a Hollywood actress who is supporting positive body image by refusing the use of the airbrush.
...................................................................................................................................
Satirical or Offensive?: The New Yorker Cover Features Outrageous Stereotyping of the Obamas
The cover of the July 21st, 2008 issue of The New Yorker has generated a great deal of controversy for its depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama which includes Barack Obama in a turban, Michelle Obama in camouflage fatigues with an AK-47 on her shoulder, an American flag burning in the fireplace, and a portrait of Saddam Hussein hanging in the background.
While the cover may have been intended to be satirical, it is over the top: racist, sexist and ethnically offensive. Write to the editor of The New Yorker, David Remnick, with your comments!
...................................................................................................................................
Italian Vogue Sheds Light Upon Racism in the Fashion Industry
Italian Vogue decided to take a stance against discrimination and racism in the fashion world by creating a July issue that only includes black models. Italian Vogue brought to the forefront the fashion industry's racist pattern of featuring predominately white women and excluding women of color. The editor of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani, wanted to emphasize the beauty and power of black women in her 100 page July issue that along with pictures will also include articles that celebrate the achievements of black women in arts and entertainment. Hopefully Italian Vogue’s honorable July issue will serve as a model to both the fashion world and the media regarding the representation of women, specifically women of color.
...................................................................................................................................
Showtime’s New Television Series “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” Glorifies Sex Work
“Secret Diary of a Call Girl”, which premiered Monday June 16 on Showtime,attempts to glamorize sex work with its portrayal of a character named Belle who willingly sells her body, profits immensely and loves her job. In Belle’s video blog she refers to sex work as “profitable and pleasurable” and a line of work that gives her “power” and a “rush”.
The show entirely ignores the fact that most women in sex work are women and young girls who have been abused, stripped of their agency and power as human beings,been trafficked both internationally and domestically and desperately want to escape the sex work industry.
Go to the homepage of the show, watch Belle’s video blog and contact Showtime with your comments.
............................................................................................................................
MSNBC Broadcasts Sexist Commentary on Women’s Voting Strategies and Views Concerning Abortion Rights
During Chris Matthew’s Hardball show on June 16th, Radio Host Heidi Harris accused most women of voting Democrat because they “think with their hearts and not their minds”. She also accused younger generations of women for taking Roe v. Wade for granted. Watch the absurd statements from Harris and contact MSNBC to comment.
...................................................................................................................................
FOX News Attacks Michelle Obama with Derogatory Language
Send Your Comments to Fox News Now!
The sexist news coverage of prominent women continue, as the press increases its scrutiny of Michelle Obama. While she has endured sexist news coverage throughout her husband's campaign, she is beginning to recieve more abuse from the media now that Senator Obama has secured the Democractic nomination. FOX news, infamous for its bold and politically incorrect coverage, has recently referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's Baby Momma" on the screen's tagline of the afternoon FOX news segment on June 11th. The term "baby momma" is a slang term for a woman that has had a child out of wedlock and has no long-term connection to the father of the child. Not only is the term offensive, but FOX news couldn't even get its use of such slang right. Help put a stop to this blatant sexism. Write to FOX News today!
FOX Continues to Mischaracterize Michelle Obama
Watch the video to see the racist, sexist generalizations of Michelle Obama and African American women in the media as "angry black women".
...................................................................................................................................
Katie Couric Acknowledges the Role of Sexism in the Media
Send Ms.Couric and CBS News a Thank You.
Katie Couric made a bold move on June 11th during her "notebook" statement on the CBS Nightly News when she brought to light the role sexism played in the media's coverage of Hillary Clinton's campaign. Her commentary on how sexism affected Senator Clinton's campaign acknowledged the immense responsibility the media has in providing unbiased news coverage. Watch the video. Go to the tab "Couric & Co." and click on the video entitled "Notebook: Campaign Sexism".
Thank Katie and CBS News for covering the issue! Go to the bottom of the page and click on contact us.
....................................................................................................................................
Beyonce's Kid Clothing Line: Striking the Wrong Pose
Beyonce's new clothing line for kids has launched an ad campaign with little girls in heels, boas, and suggestive poses. Read more about the ads here and here.
...................................................................................................................................
Past Media Watch Items
|
