Spring Break
Community forum: sexism in media
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Forum
While the best journalists will uphold standards to seek truth, minimize harm, act independently and to be accountable, the SPJ acknowledges these all are "a balancing act" without rules on a slippery-slope.
Solutions to the first case require journalists to tread lightly. Gender identification should be for specific purposes and not to sensationalize. Gender neutral terms, however, may mask some problems.
Overall, journalists should tell stories of crime for what they are - an individual's failures to uphold the standards of their community and family.
Solutions to the second sexism case are largely a matter of re-framing our views of health. While health issues from behavioral exposure may be an individual's fault, environmental and genetic problems should be the concern of everybody.
Just as reproductive responsibility is shared between the sexes, the emotional burden of individual health is shared by families - nuclear and nontraditional. Journalists who pretend we are not all affected are shortsighted.
Our third case of sexism demands a change in processes. Journalists must ask equal questions of each gender. Editors must demand this and ensure it happens.
Finally, our fourth case of sexism may find solutions in the fringe of the marketplace. Media outlets that are able to deliver engaging, non-archetypical stories of athletes, whatever their gender may be, are clearly going to find success.
What becomes clear, then, is an informed and empowered public must speak up to ask for change. Journalists must be open to critique and understand where it comes from and what it can provide.
Sexism in media limits our perspective and prevents the real stories from being heard. Working together as equals - open and honest - each gender will gain.
This Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the Barometer Conference room, Snell 120, the community forum continues with a discussion on alcoholism and community livability. Lt. Jeff Lanz from the Oregon State Police will contribute.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
Solutions to the first case require journalists to tread lightly. Gender identification should be for specific purposes and not to sensationalize. Gender neutral terms, however, may mask some problems.
Overall, journalists should tell stories of crime for what they are - an individual's failures to uphold the standards of their community and family.
Solutions to the second sexism case are largely a matter of re-framing our views of health. While health issues from behavioral exposure may be an individual's fault, environmental and genetic problems should be the concern of everybody.
Just as reproductive responsibility is shared between the sexes, the emotional burden of individual health is shared by families - nuclear and nontraditional. Journalists who pretend we are not all affected are shortsighted.
Our third case of sexism demands a change in processes. Journalists must ask equal questions of each gender. Editors must demand this and ensure it happens.
Finally, our fourth case of sexism may find solutions in the fringe of the marketplace. Media outlets that are able to deliver engaging, non-archetypical stories of athletes, whatever their gender may be, are clearly going to find success.
What becomes clear, then, is an informed and empowered public must speak up to ask for change. Journalists must be open to critique and understand where it comes from and what it can provide.
Sexism in media limits our perspective and prevents the real stories from being heard. Working together as equals - open and honest - each gender will gain.
This Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the Barometer Conference room, Snell 120, the community forum continues with a discussion on alcoholism and community livability. Lt. Jeff Lanz from the Oregon State Police will contribute.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
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