Voices for Media Democracy Summer 2008 WIFP
Women’s Institute for Table of Contents Freedom of the Press WIFP Associates p. 02 1940 Calvert Street, NW Associate News p. 03 Washington, DC 20009 Associate Books p. 05 Phone: 202 265 6707 Net Neutrality p. 06 Email: [email protected] Violence Against Women p. 08 Breaking the Silence p. 08 www.wifp.org Fight Against Sexual Slavery p. 10 Untold Crimes p. 13 Silent Media p. 15 Voices for Media Sex Workers’ Art Show p. 16 Democracy Staff Media Democracy Highlights and Current Events p. 17 Director: Center for Media Justice p. 17 Books on Violence Against Women p. 17 Martha Allen Voices Staff 2008 p. 17 off our backs p. 18 WIFP Petitions the FCC p. 18 Staff Writers: FCC Brief p. 19 Annie Brown Radio Highlights p. 21 WINGS p. 21 Amy Buck FIRE p. 21 Bonnie Carlson Radio Warriors Strike Back p. 21 Sarah Glover Media Consolidation p. 22 Independence and Innovation p. 22 Deanna Kaplan Structures of Italian Media p. 23 Andrea Korte WIFP Associates he following individuals are some of the hundreds of associates of WIFP. Many have been with us since the early days of the 1970s. Not all of those we work with are Associates, but the network of Associates helps us experience continuity in our endeavors over the years. We’ve shared projects and ideas. We’ve lent each other support. We continue to look forward to the energies of the newer Associates joining with us to bring about a radical restructuring of communication that will bring about true democracy in our countries. Some International Dorothy Abbott Valerie Eads Leila Merl Associates: Jennifer Abod, Ph.D. Jane Esberg Julie Mikalson Canada Jo-Ann Huff Albers Caitlin Esch Paul Miller Milner Alexander, Ph.D. Martha Leslie Allen, Ph.D. Howard Fisher Sarah Misailidis Julia J. Jalloh Joy Allen Laura Forester Virginia Mollenkott, Ph.D. Mary-Catherine McIntosh Donna Caledonia Allen Jo Freeman Dorinda Moreno Gertrude Robinson, Ph.D. Mark Allen Sheila Gibbons Robin Morgan Denmark Ana Maria Alvarado Amanda Glensky Karen Mullhauser Birgitt Jallov Emily Ballengee Sarah Glover Judy Murphy France Christian Barclay Grace Goodeagle Doug Newsom Shere Hite Maurine Beasley, Ph.D. Ruth Gottstein Jenny Odintz Maryvonne Lecuyer Julia Beizer Elaine F. Graves Rebecca Peterson Germany Carolyn Bennett, Ph.D. Heather Grimm Susan Phillip Frauke Richter Farika Fayola Berhane Elsie Gutchess Marge Piercy Indonesia Eleanor Biddle Alison Hardin Lana Rakow Dorothea Rosa Herliany Eleanor Blalock Fann Harding, Ph.D. Ramona R. Rush, Ph.D. Yasmin Muntaz Ester Bloom Francesca Harding Diana E. H. Russell, Ph.D. Japan Kathy Bonk Grace Haring Corinne Sabo Haruko Watanabe Marcia Boruta Teresa Haring Annette Samuels Jordan Denise Bostrom Sandy Hayden Bernice Sandler, Ph.D. Mahasen Al Emam Pamela K. Bradshaw Doris Hess, Ph.D. Anna Sayre Mexico Jennifer Braudaway Jamine Hillyer Nina Shah Diana Murray Watts Carissa Brooks Maureen Honey, Ph.D. Marie Shear Nepal Annie Brown Michael Honey, Ph.D. Elizabeth Shepard Rojee Kattel Susan Brownmiller Natalie Hopkinson Andrea Singer Netherlands Amy Buck Frankie Hutton, Ph.D. Amanda Slaughter Senay Ozdemir Martha Burk, Ph.D. Margaret R. Johnston Willona Sloan Palestine Sara Burns Laura Wede Kai Ann Snitow Benaz Batrawi Carolyn M. Byerly, Ph.D. Deanna Kaplan Calandria Somuah Peru Dyannah Byington Paula Kassell David Song Silvia Soriano Lilia Cajilog Susan Kaufman, Ph.D. Gloria Steinem Poland Jo Campbell Ann M. Keller Cecily Swanson Ewa Fryzowska Patricia Campbell, Ph.D. Jean Kilbourne, Ph.D. Kate Swift Saudi Arabia Lydia Carey Lucy Komisar Elizabeth Thoman Nourah Al-Khuraiji Bonnie Carlson Andrea Korte Julie Thompson Scotland Jessica L. Chestnutt Cheris Kramerae Patricia Tobar Bonnie Robertson Danielle Chynoweth Kimberlie Kranich Sister Margaret Traxler South Korea Elayne G. Clift Arlene Krebs Emily Trostle Jin-A Yang Erin Conroy Patti Krueger, Ph.D. Anita Varma Eun Yung Yi Reverend Cheryl Cornish Nancy Lang Mary Ellen Verheyden-Hilliard South Africa Nikki Craft Jennifer Lee Desirè Vincent Kashini Maistry Flora Crater Kristin Lee Carmen Delgado Votaw Ukraine Pamela J. Creedom Cindy H. Lin Billie Wahlstrom, Ph.D. Oksana Kuts Sena Christian Karin Lippert Danna Lynn Walker, Ph.D. United Kingdom Thelma Dailey Joanne Lipson Betsy Warrior Margaret Gallagher Dorothy Dean Alexis Luckey Frieda Werden Uzbekistan Valerie E. DeMatteo Tatyana Mamonova Marcia Yudkin Navbahor Imamova Dana Densmore Lisa Kar-Wai Man Jonathan Zeitlin Zambia Alix Dobkin Anyda Marchant Zenia Allen Zeitlin Susan Musukuma Ariel Dougherty Lucinda Marshall Karen Zelermyer Ruth Dropkin Nora Massignott-Cortese Ann Zill (www.wifp.org/More Madeline Duckles Paula McKenzie, Ph.D. Jan Zimmerman Associates.html) WIFP 02 Associate News JoAnn Albers update Margaret Gallagher’s 1995 report for UNESCO Although JoAnn Albers is officially retired, she is still titled “An Unfinished Story.” The present project refines making talks for journalism education programs. She Gallagher’s methodology and geographic distribution in recently spoke, for instance, at the Kentucky Press As- its quest to learn what kind of positions women occupy sociation journalism boot camp in Frankfort. She remains within print, broadcast, cable, and some online media active in professional organizations and is attending companies around the world. the UNITY ‘08 conference (July). She returned to the In August 2008, Dr. Byerly completes a year-long train- Cincinnati area to live, after having left it 27 years ago ing and mentorship called Journalism (and Mass Comm) to become a newspaper editor/publisher in Michigan. Leadership Diversity (JLID), a program sponsored by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Maurine Beasley Communication (AEJMC). JLID prepares women and Dr. Maurine Beasley will be honored with the presti- minorities in the field to prepare for administrative and gious Eleanor Blum Distinguished Service to Research other leadership positions in the academic world. Award at the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication conference in Chicago this Erin Conroy August. The Blum Award recognizes an individual for Erin Conroy, a former WIFP intern, is currently in Thai- research that has been of service to journalism educa- land on an undergraduate research award, researching tion. This is an extremely competitive award for which the sexual trafficking of women and children in that 22 people nominated Beasley. country. The culmination of this trip will be a report on Maurine Beasley credits Taking Their Place: A Docu- her findings that will appear in the International Museum mentary History of Women and Journalism, based on of Women’s online exhibition on human trafficking in the book Women in Media: A Documentary Source Book, November. which was originally published by WIFP, as a significant Erin is also launching LOTUS magazine, the premier factor in her receipt of the award. Beasley will be rec- issue of which will be published in September of this ognized for the award at a special panel presentation, year. LOTUS is described as “a publication focusing on at which time she will be making remarks and will be global women’s issues such as: traveling, women in the sure to credit WIFP founder Dr. Donna Allen with being workplace, spirituality, violence against women, women a major inspiration to her. and international development, and women and the Beasley has also officially retired, and now serves as environment. Ultimately, the main purpose of LOTUS the first Professor Emerita of the Philip Merrill College magazine is to offer a socially conscious publication of Journalism at the University of Maryland. She will dedicated to the enlightenment of women around the continue to advise Ph.D. students in her new capacity. globe” (http://lotusmagazine.org). Beasley also has contracts with academic presses for The idea for LOTUS stemmed from the dissatisfaction two books, one on Eleanor Roosevelt as a politician in that Erin and her co-editors, Sara Lehman and Amber the White House and one on the history of Washington McCrady, felt about the current selection and topics women journalists. covered in magazines widely available to and geared toward women today. In contrast, LOTUS magazine is Carolyn LaDelle Bennett devoted to helping women “change the world, instead Dr Carolyn Bennett, author of Missing News & Views of to change our bodies” and hopes to improve the in Paranoid Times, has come out with another book! world for women by exploring the social injustice that Women’s Work and Words Altering World Order: Al- they suffer. ternatives to Spin and Inhumanity of Men was recently released. A review appears on page 05. Cheryl Cornish We are excited to announce that Rev. Cheryl Cornish Carolyn M. Byerly has been chosen to receive the 2008 Yale Divinity School In April 2008, Dr. Carolyn Byerly was one of four re- Alumni Award for Distinction in Con- cipients of the “Outstanding Faculty of the Year” Honors gregational Ministry. Past recipients & Excellence Award 2008, from the Graduate Student of recognition from the school include Association, Howard University. U.S. Rep. David Price (D-N.C.), the In June 2008, she assumed the role of principal in- late civil rights and antiwar activist vestigator for a “Global Report on Women’s Media Em- Rev. William Sloane Coffin and Dr. ployment,” for the Washington, DC-based International Scott Morris, director of the Church Women’s Media Foundation. The two-year project will Health Center of Memphis. Rev. Cornish has been leading her WIFP 03 Associate News First Congregational Church community in Memphis, a number of collective feminist initiatives and strategize Tennessee, for 20 years, building it up from a small, plans for the 2010 U.S. Social Forum. predominantly elderly congregation to its current 320- member diverse group that includes gay, lesbian, Ruth Gottstein Ruth Gottstein, Publisher Emerita of Volcano Press straight and disabled worshipers. Speaking from per- (www.volcanopress.com), is a plenary speaker at the sonal experience, she delivers moving and inspirational 30th anniversary of the Na- sermons. She also does not shy from taking on justice tional Coalition Against Do- and peace issues. For instance, every Wednesday she mestic Violence, describing joins Women in Black on the church steps to protest the some of the “the early, grass war. She identifies herself as a feminist and activist as roots days of the battered well as a pastor. women’s movement.” An article about her Yale Divinity School Award and Volcano Press (www.volca- the great work she is doing appeared in the Commercial nopress.com) first published Appeal: www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jun/19/ Lesbian/Woman (1972) by mission-of-inclusiveness/ Martin and Lyon and Battered Congratulations, Cheryl, on a well-deserved award! Wives (1976) by Del Martin. Her son, Adam Gottstein, is http://www.firstcongo.com/ carrying on her work with Volcano Press as the publisher Ariel Dougherty for over six years now, during which time they’ve re- Ariel Dougherty will be serving as the Senior Research leased Surviving Domestic Violence: Voices of Women Consultant and coordinator of “Creating a Women’s Who Broke Free, by Elaine Weiss (2004), and Family Media Equity Collaborative: New Funding Models for and Friends’ Guide to Domestic Violence: How to Listen, Feminist Media.” With this research, a collaboration of Talk, and Take Action When Someone You Care About academics and media organization activists will con- is Being Abused (2003). Both books received starred duct the first-ever survey of the field of women’s media reviews for core collections from Library Journal. In justice organizations. Furthermore, the project will map 2006, they published The Physician’s Guide to Intimate out feminist models of collaboration and sustainable Parner Violence and Abuse: A Reference for all Health funding to design a new support arm for the collective Care Professionals: How to Ask the Right Questions work of feminist media organizations. and Recognize Abuse...Another Way to Save a Life, an The two academic investigators of the Women’s update from a similar title we first published in 1995. The Media Equity Collaborative are Lisa McLaughlin, in co-editors are Patricia Salber, M.D., and Ellen Taliaferro, communications at Miami University of Ohio and edi- M.D. They’ve also published a compendium from UC tor of Feminist Media Studies, and Susan Feiner, an Davis called Child Abuse and Neglect with contributions economist and director of Women Studies at Maine from 95 professionals. Southern University. The partnering organizations are “Making Contact”/National Radio Project under execu- Michael Honey Dr. Michael Honey, Professor tive director Lisa Rudman and Chica Luna Productions at the University of Washington, under acting director Lillian Jimenez and program Tacoma, has received the Rob- coordinator Karly Beaumont. The research is funded ert F. Kennedy Book Award for by a grant from the Social Science Research Council his book documenting the 1968 through their Necessary Knowledge for a Democratic Memphis sanitation strike and Public Sphere program. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assas- In another capacity, as associate producer for Lynn sination in Memphis, Tennes- Hershman’s Women, Art and Revolution, a documentary see. Honey and his book, Going on the Feminist Art Movement, Ariel Dougherty was able Down Jericho Road: The Memphis Strike, Martin Luther to facilitate a single $100,000 contribution. This has al- King’s Last Campaign, were recognized at a ceremony lowed editing to proceed in earnest, moving forward this in May at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The Award important and lively memoir. is given in honor of Robert F. Kennedy’s concern for the For the past year, Ariel Dougherty has also been in- oppressed and their struggle for justice. volved with the Women’s Working Group (WWG), which Honey was also the winner of the 2008 Liberty Legacy shepherded the involvement of some 150 grassroots and Foundation Award for his book Going Down Jericho national women’s organizations within the U.S. Social Road. Previously, Honey came to Washington to speak Forum. She has just accepted the co-coordination of on March 31 at the AFL-CIO. the Leadership Circle of WWG as it continues to oversee WIFP 04 Associate Books Frankie Hutton Dr. Frankie Hutton Women’s Work and Words Altering World Order: was in Washington, Alternatives to Spin and Inhumanity of Men D.C., speaking on a panel “Joining the By Dr.Carolyn LaDelle Bennett Grassroots Movements Review by Sarah Glover to End Female Genital In the introduction to her book, Women’s Work Mutilation” at the July and Words Altering World Order, author Dr. 19-21 conference of the Carolyn LaDelle Bennett recounts a conversation National Coalition Against she had with Women’s Institute for Freedom of Domestic Violence. She is the Press founder Dr. Donna Allen. “People who also coming out with a new are wrongheaded or misguided in their actions book: Rose Lore. It will be are not bad people,” Dr. Allen told her, “They just released in August 2008 don’t have ‘my information.’” With this piece of by Rowman-Littlefield advice in mind, Dr. Bennett penned her most re- Publishing Group. cent book in order to supply information that she http://www.geocities.com/ felt had been neglected by the male-dominated frankiehutton/rose.html mainstream media.
Calandria Somuah In order to ensure a “history void of willful er- Calandria Somuah is ror,” Dr. Bennett highlights within the pages of freelancing for a local her book those women whose work and words newspaper, The Sentinel. have enormously impacted society, yet whose She plans on attend- contributions have been overlooked. Granted, some are names that people have ing Georgtown University heard before: ranging from Madonna and her humanitarian efforts in Malawi to School of Continuing Stud- Cindy Sheehan, who has become the face of the present-day anti-war movement, ies for journalism in Spring to Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. But as one might expect, this book exists 2009. She will also make mainly to discuss those whose names are not known and whose stories have not another trip to Japan next been told. Such is the case of Claudette Colvin, a young African American girl who year. refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus long before Rosa Parks performed the same worldchanging act of defiance. Or Rachel Corrie, who took a stand in Danna L. Walker front of a bulldozer in the Gaza Strip much the same as an unidentified man had Dr. Danna L. Walker done in front of a tank in Tiananmen Square less than two decades previously, continues in her role as the except that Corrie was mowed down and killed. Or Wangari Maathai, who plants James B. Simpson Fellow seeds of peace by planting the seeds of trees in her native Africa. at American University. She was a panelist at the Seeing the good that these women have done through their work and words, in International Communica- comparison to the “male dominance [that] increasingly has led with a belligerent tion Association confer- foreign policy…leaving in its wake a domestic policy of neglect, class conflict, ence in Montreal in May chasms among people…” has led Dr. Bennett to a single powerful conclusion: “The and will be a panelist at the leader of the free world needs a woman head of state - but a particular woman - Association for Education with the intellect and presence of mind to ponder action with an eye to the future; in Journalism and Mass a humancenteredness capable of respecting difference and envisioning peaceful Communication in Chicago cooperation and coexistence with and among nations; a woman unconcerned in August. She has been with showing how tough she is, or how religious she is, or how fashion-setting awarded a grant through her wardrobe.” the WIFP to continue re- search into the relationship The women that Dr. Carolyn LaDelle Bennett profiles inWomen’s Work and Words between women and news Altering World Order demonstrate just how that certain woman could and should in shaping society since be. (iUniverse, Inc., NY 2008) the second wave of the women’s movement.
WIFP 05 Net Neutrality Save the Internet! as they please and users to access to-peer traffic. Comcast executive Net Neutrality and the information equally. Whether you are David L. Cohen defended Comcast looking up news on a local blog or at the hearing, stating, “What we are 2008 Internet Freedom msnbc.com, net neutrality ensures doing is a limited form of network Preservation Act that the sites load at equal speed. management, objectively based by Annie Brown For example, if you create a blog upon an excessive bandwidth con- that only gets 10 views per day, that sumptive protocol during limit peri- et neutrality is a network de- site is treated equally by Internet ods of network congestion.” Marvin sign paradigm that prevents Service Providers to a site that gets a Ammori, a net neutrality advocate Internet providers from deciding million views per day. However, the from the general counsel for Free which sites users can access or at freedom Internet users have today is Press, addressed the panel by say- what speed certain sites download. in danger of becoming a thing of the ing, “This hearing is not about some It allows small websites, applica- past, a threat once thought impos- technical details of managing net- tions and ideas to have sible due to the sheer works, it’s about the future of online the potential to reach size and complexity of television and about the future of the billions of people the World Wide Web. the Internet. The facts aren’t even who access the Inter- disputed. Comcast is deliberately net. Imagine an Inter- Internet Service Pro- targeting and interfering with legal net with no Napster or viders (ISPs) are work- peer-to-peer technology.”
Google or Youtube, Original image found at: http://www.grlt.com/Com- ing hard to see net- and most certainly no puting-News/Net-Neutrality-Revived-Again.html work neutrality elimi- Similar to Comcast’s acts of “network blogs. Without the concept of net nated from the realms of cyberspace. management,” Time Warner Cable neutrality, the Internet would most Non-discriminating policies, ISPs initiated tests of “Internet Metering” likely have developed as a sea of argue, prevent users from getting or tiered pricing for Internet Access phone company-sponsored sites. the most out of their Internet service. in a small Texas town in early June Often referred to as the first amend- As Senior Research Fellow James of 2008. For years users who mainly ment of the Internet, net neutrality is Gattuso of the Heritage Foundation used the Internet to check e-mail a key design principle that has been stated in 2003, “Rather than media and “heavy” Internet users (defined around since the Internet’s inception. monopolies, consumers face a bewil- as users who watch big video and It gives users primary control over dering and unprecedented amount music, upload files, etc.) paid the the future of the net by protecting of choice. Instead, the real danger same monthly price for Internet ac- sites and applications from corpo- to Americans is that outdated and cess. “Internet Metering” means that rate interference. When the Internet unnecessary FCC restrictions will the heaviest Internet users will be began in the 1990s, the developers limit improvements in media mar- charged more severely. Time War- insisted that information networks kets and technologies, limiting the ner asked the customers involved like the Internet are “most efficient benefits they provide.” The Federal in this test to choose a monthly plan and useful to the public when…less Communications Commission has and then pay surcharges when they focused on a particular audience and taken this viewpoint, stating that the exceeded their bandwidth, much like instead attentive to multiple users.”* concept of net neutrality is no longer a cell phone plan. Not only would this This concept has developed along- necessary and limits the broadband type of system put a higher price-tag side the growth of the Internet, and capacity accessible to users. Using on uploading information onto the allowed for “The Information Super- this argument, major Phone and Web but would also mean that those highway” to become the revolution- Cable Companies such as AT&T, who want to access more information ary (and non-discriminatory) means Verizon and Comcast, who serve (watch streaming video, download of communication that it is today. the majority of Internet consumers, files, use the internet for research are lobbying Congress to allow the etc.) will also have to pay more. In In a future without network neutral- FCC to eliminate the concept of net response to Time Warner’s test run ity, it would be very hard for small neutrality. in Texas, Vint Cerf, Chief Internet websites, especially peer-to-peer Evangelist and Vice President of networks, to leap from the small Already, some ISPs have been Google, (also referred to as “the fa- time to the big time as companies caught completely ignoring network ther of the Internet”) wrote, “As soon like Google and Napster have done neutrality principles. The FCC held as you put serious uncertainty as to in the past. Also, this concept al- a hearing in February to address cost on the table, people’s feeling of lows users to upload and download claims that Comcast degraded peer- freedom to predict cost dries up and WIFP 06 Net Neutrality so does innovation and trying new media.” Activists of media democ- in communication due to the Internet applications.” racy are passionate about the pres- for granted. The public often as- ervation of net neutrality because sumes that the Internet is too big, Thirteen days prior to the Comcast of the Internet’s important role in too accessible for it to become mo- hearings, Congressmen Edward the democratization of communi- nopolized by a few large companies Markey (D-MA) and Chip Pickering cations and political involvement. and suffer a fate similar to that of (R-MI) introduced the Internet Free- SavetheInternet.com is working to television and radio. However, now dom Preservation Act of 2008 in the counteract the lobbying efforts of In- with the encroaching threat of big U.S. House of Representatives. The ternet providers. “These companies business Internet Providers, what full title of the bill reads: “Internet have a new vision for the Internet,” seemed impossible - control over Freedom Preservation Act of 2008: SavetheInternet.com explains. “In- the Internet - is becoming a reality. To establish broadband policy and stead of an even playing field, they To quote Timothy Wu, Columbia Law direct the Federal Communications want to reserve express lanes for professor and esteemed authority on Commission to conduct a proceed- their own content and services -- or net neutrality, “In an ideal world, ei- ing and public broadband summits those from big corporations that can ther competition or enlightened self- to assess competition, consumer afford the steep tolls -- and leave the interest might drive carriers to design protection, and consumer choice rest of us on a winding dirt road.” neutral networks. However, when issues relating to broadband Inter- On the Save the Internet’s main that isn’t the case—when carriers are net access services, and for other page you can click links to read the interested in discriminating for one of purposes.” The bill “would establish Internet Freedom Preservation Act, various reasons -- matters get more Internet governance regulations, and e-mail your congressional represen- difficult, and a law may be neces- then require an examination of the tatives asking them to support the sary.” Congress must act to prevent market and its practices.” A similar Bill, access the SavetheInternet.com Americans from being completely bill, S.215, was introduced in the blog and watch informative videos disconnected from the future of the Senate in January. The Senate ver- on the issue. Internet. If we, as a global Internet sion of the Internet Preservation Act community, step back and see the calls for direct action and proposes SavetheInternet.com is a perfect Internet as an amazing innovation to amend the 1934 Communications example of the direct impact net- in human history, one that has the Act to ensure net neutrality. Both work management would have on potential to spread awareness, bring of these bills are still in committee. grassroots movements. The media communities together, and solve On June 20, The House Committee democracy movement itself has the immense global problems that of Energy and Commerce debated exploded thanks to the freedom of face us today, we will not hesitate to whether a “hands-off approach” communications the Internet pro- protect it from FCC ignorance and similar to that of the FCC would be vides. Currently, mass e-mail lists, corporate control. best to preserve Internet freedoms. interactive websites, constantly Bill sponsor Representative Markey updated information, news footage For More Information on the Bill, pushed for his bill stating that legisla- and educational videos, can be Please Visit: tive action and checks on the FCC is uploaded and downloaded without http://www.opencongress.org/ the only way to ensure the Internet much expense to the organization bill/110-h5353/show References: *Lin, Ray. “What is Net Neutrality.” remains “the most level playing field or the individual accessing the in- May 2007. Network Neutrality. Open Computing for commercial opportunity ever formation. Net neutrality should Facility at U.C. Berkley. 20 June 2008.
We believe that an end to violence is possible, but only if we listen to all voices from all groups, not just the ones media corporations believe to be the “best” representatives of the issue. In the case of violence against women, it is especially crucial that survivors of violence are given the opportunity to speak out to the public. While WIFP recognizes we cannot represent every group in one special feature, we deliberately chose to provide coverage of groups that are drastically underrepresented and/or misrepresented in today’s media. Also, in these articles, we are asking our society to rethink the issue of violence within the context of complex systems of silencing women that we must address while pursuing the simple goal of peace. Please consult some of the recommended readings and websites provided at the end of the articles to learn how to get in direct contact with groups working to end violence through women’s voices. by Annie Brown
Using Performance to versities worldwide, that’s a lot of because it is the only issue, but be- Break The Silence: women speaking, screaming, and cause it is an issue that lives smack moaning “vagina” - a word Ensler in the middle of the world and is About Our Bodies, Do- found difficult to get women to whis- still not spoken, not seen, not given mestic Violence, and per when she first started conducting weight or significance.” Feminism Itself her interviews. by Deanna Kaplan The statistics support En- Last year, Ensler sler’s claim. The UN reports nternationally famed playwright came forward with a that one third of women Eve Ensler wants to get women new play, and a new are beaten or sexually as- talking. She wants women to express set of taboos to break. saulted in their lifetimes. In the things they need to say but feel Entitled A Memory, A the United States, someone they are supposed to keep quiet Monologue, A Rant, is raped every two minutes. about. and A Prayer, the play Seventy-nine countries do aims to get people not have legislation protect- The popularity of her play The talking about rape, ing women against violence, Vagina Monologues speaks to the sexual assault, and and among nations who do, success of her mission. Through a domestic violence, less than half of women who series of monologues about topics widely prevalent issues ignored by actually reported victimization to law like orgasms, bisexuality, pubic hair politicians, the media, and even enforcement received a satisfactory and harassment, the word “vagina” is women themselves. response. said over 100 times. Now translated into 24 languages and performed Writes Ensler, we need to speak Ensler’s new play features memo- annually by many colleges and uni- “about violence against women, not ries, monologues, rants and prayers WIFP 08 Violence Against Women from well-known writers and celebri- but “I think more would if they knew Despite stereotypes, given that one ties, including Jane Fonda, Maya what feminism actually means.” In of every three women are beaten Angelou, Dave Eggers, Howard referring to herself a feminist, Beren or sexually assaulted, a pervasive Zinn, Edward Albee, and Alice runs into frequent stereotypes and belief that feminism is now unneces- Walker. Debuted at the “Until the misconceptions. sary may sound surprising. But even Violence Stops” festival in New York, for a generation of women more it is now being performed across “Thanks to [distorted media cov- comfortable in talking about their the country on college campuses erage], feminists have gotten a bodies than ever before, thanks to in “V-Day” celebrations, aimed to reputation as being radical butch long-established gender roles, the raise awareness and open dialogue man-hating lesbians. I tell people I’m silence is not entirely shocking. about violence against women. Per- a feminist, and they get confused be- formances will be put on by feminist cause I’ve had boyfriends and enjoy In Beren’s experience, most people, and theatre groups nationwide as being friends with men. A good friend men and women alike, are astound- well as by “Vagina War- ed by the statistics revealed in riors,” a feminist college Ensler’s play and say they had campus organization no idea that domestic violence is existing under many dif- so widespread. Beren observes ferent names across the “that women have forced them- country, aimed at pro- selves into ignorance. Women moting Ensler’s cause. have the right to vote and tech- nically, they are supposed to In putting on productions have equal pay. Women want to like The Vagina Mono- assume that cultural bounds will logues and A Memory, A Found at: http://rochester.indymedia.org/newswire/display/20019/index.php disappear with laws in place, Monologue, A Rant, and a Prayer, of mine recently mentioned to some- but the reality is that we’re fulfilling both the Vagina Warriors and Eve one that she’s a feminist. They said, submissive gender roles every day Ensler are achieving a perhaps over- ‘That surprises me, because you without realizing it.” looked consequence. They aren’t just don’t look like a feminist.’ My friend, breaking the silence about violence who happens to be very pretty and Like Beren, most gender sociologists against women. They’re breaking the petite, said, ‘I didn’t know feminists recognize the profound affect that silence about feminism. had a distinct look.’” both the media and society have on the way people act. Many sociolo- “A lot of women in our culture around The negative stereotype of the “radi- gists believe that the amount of fe- my age think that feminism is no cal butch man-hating lesbian” is im- male submission seen in the media, longer important, that it’s obsolete,” measurably harmful to the reality of coupled with the often submissive says Rebecca Beren, a Vagina the movement, which aims to give roles women see their female rela- Warrior at the University of Arizona. women equal opportunities legally tives and friends play, make them far Beren is a junior sociology major and socially. At its core, feminism more likely to be submissive in their concentrating in gender studies, and encourages women to rebel against own relations with men, romantic performed in her school’s production gender roles they find personally or otherwise. Socialized to see the of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, offensive or stifling and strives to dominant male as normal, women and A Prayer this past spring. Beren protect women against harassment, fail to notice that they are fulfilling says she was incredibly relieved to violence, sexual assault, and loss of a gender role even when it is a role join the Vagina Warriors because it reproductive rights. they are unhappy with. was “the first time in my life where I could tell a group of people that I’m Yet the typical young person who According to Beren, “Women of a feminist without getting an instant agrees with the majority of feminist my generation grew up learning response of a feminist joke. I was goals may not call themselves a that men are going to do things like accepted without having to defend feminist because they believe all harass us verbally or try to coerce myself.” feminists must fit this stereotype. us into sex, but we must walk away Others may avoid using the feminist with our chins up because that’s just Beren says that few young women label because they don’t want to be the way men are...These roles are and even fewer young men would associated with a negative image. seen as so normal that it doesn’t identify themselves as feminists, always occur to the woman that she WIFP 09 Violence Against Women can say something back. Men hit their girlfriends and wives and the women justify it in their mind by tell- WIFP’s Online ing themselves, ‘He loves me. He’s Periodical just being a man.’” Found at wifp.org Beren’s statement echoes a recent survey by the World Health Organi- zation, in which one half of women Women’s Voices in the Fight Against Sexual Slavery: said that it is acceptable for a man Indian Anti-Trafficking Group Highlights Limited Perspective of to beat his wife in some situations. State Department’s 2008 Trafficking-In Persons Report at NGO Beren believes that plays like En- Briefing sler’s are important because they by Annie Brown remind women that they don’t have to keep quiet – that, yes, they can his year, The Department of State say something to the guy on the released its eighth annual Trafficking- street corner, their boyfriends and In Persons Report. On June 6, 2008 The husbands, their friends and their Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press co-workers. Ensler’s monologues along with other Non-Governmental Organi- model for women what the media zations (NGOs) attended the NGO briefing fails to: that it is acceptable to tell of the 2008 report followed by a presentation their stories, to rebel against gender by Ruchira Gupta of Apne Aap, a survivor- roles, and, yes, to be a feminist. led anti-trafficking group based in India. Sex Trafficking is defined in the report as A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, “trafficking in which a commercial sex act and A Prayer offers a reminder that is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in feminism isn’t just about women. It is which the person induced to perform such an about preventing people from getting act has not attained 18 years of age.” First Pulled from: The Eighth Annual Trafficking-In hurt; further, it’s about gender roles, distributed in 2001, the Trafficking-In Persons Persons Report. and therefore just as much about Report is a long overdue response to the cries of citizens and NGOs for men and masculinity as well. U.S. government involvement in the growing global problem of Sex Traf- ficking. However, this was hardly a two-way meeting. Except for a limited A play evocative enough to get so Q&A and Ruchira Gupta’s enlightening presentation at the very end, this many people talking has the poten- was a briefing of a statistical report, with a heavy, and often counteractive, tial to help reshape these roles and focus on law enforcement. change perceptions of feminism altogether. And in the hands of the Ambassador Mark P. Lagon began the briefing by addressing the NGOs. “We boisterous Vagina Warriors, it just stand on your shoulders,” he said. Appointed by President Bush in Febru- might. ary 2007, Lagon is the Ambassador-at-Large and Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Lagon had a noticeable, Anybody can host a V-Day performance and surprising, passion for the cause. While briefing on the themes and event. To find a local event or to learn statistics found in the report, his commentary showed a true dedication to how to organize an event yourself, visit ending trafficking worldwide. He referred to sex trafficking between and http://v10.org/take-action. See Also: within nations as “the contemporary incarnation of slavery.” He also told the Amnesty International, launch report, “It’s in audience he has worked relentlessly over the past year to make sure that Our Hands: Stop Violence Against Women,” nations who continue sexual slavery would be “held accountable.” However, 2004. the ignorant policies and superficial solutions found in the report clouded Amnesty International report, “The State of his strong words and obvious belief in the cause. the World’s Human Rights,” 2006. World Health Organization, “Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic As the information was presented to the audience, it seemed like something Violence Against Women,” 2005. was being left out. Lagon presented the report standing at a podium with U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, National blown-up images from the report behind him. The most striking of the posters Crime Victimization Survey, Criminal Victim- ization, 2005. was a picture of two Indian prostitutes with their eyes blurred out. It is under- standable that the government might want to protect these women’s identi- WIFP 10 Violence Against Women ties, but many other as victims needing to be saved. No- photos throughout where in the report (or in the briefing the report were left for that matter) are these women uncensored. The discussed as individuals worthy of photo was blurred respect and empowerment. This and highlighted at view of women inhibits the U.S. gov- the briefing for an ernment’s “minimum standards” for emotional effect, prevention to go beyond government rather than any advertisement about the criminal protective reason. aspect of trafficking in publications As the briefing con- or creation of laws to diminish de- tinued, this image, mand. more than Lagon’s Pulled from: The Eighth Annual Trafficking-In Persons Report. passionate words, Law enforcement is emphasized seemed to accurately reflect the foreign assistance.” The United as the main route to preventing United States’ attitude towards States is conveniently absent from sexual slavery. In a documentary women in sexual slavery. Just as the any of these ranked lists, although clip shown to the group of NGOs identities of the women in that photo a brief summary of U.S. policies on after the briefing entitled “Not My were erased, the voices of those trafficking can be found at the front Life,” Mark Lagon was interviewed, who had experienced the horrors of the report. and with great fervor stated, “The of sex slavery were absent from the punishment has to be enough to report. Occasionally there would be The main section of the report sum- deter the problem.” Yet no evidence an anecdote in a small box within the marizes the reasoning behind the was provided in the documentary or report, but these were always from rankings of nations by evaluating in the report that punishment is an the perspective of a government of- each nation’s anti-trafficking efforts. effective deterrent for this problem. ficial observing their surroundings. For example, India is on the Tier Two The report, the documentary, the In fact, it seemed little of the actual Watchlist, because “The Govern- blown-up photographs and Ambas- report had anything to do with the ment of India does not fully comply sador Lagon’s remarks all promise people being trafficked at all. with the minimum standards for the that if only we arrest more traffickers elimination of trafficking; however, sexual slavery will end. Increasing The main focus of the report was law it is making significant efforts to do incidences of sexual slavery in na- enforcement. Law enforcement as a so.” Compliance is discussed in tions throughout the world raise the solution and law enforcement as a three different sections: prosecution, question whether United States’s means of ranking countries’ efforts protection and prevention. In all three current policies are the answer to to combat sexual slavery. Within of these categories the enforcement this global problem. the report, 170 countries are placed of law according to U.S. standards is within one of four “Tiers”: Tier One, the central theme. In the introduction Sex trafficking is a complex issue Tier Two, Tier Two Watchlist and Tier to the Indian evaluation, the report that involves criminal behavior but Three. The ranking of a nation de- states, “A critical challenge overall also power relations, economics, pends on how well a nation complies is the lack of punishment of traffick- women’s roles and more. This is a with the Trafficking Victims Protec- ers, effectively resulting in impunity problem that cannot be solved with tion Act passed by the U.S. Congress for acts of human trafficking.” This a one-dimensional solution like that in 2000. According to the report, “A wholehearted belief that lax govern- proposed by Congress. Law enforce- country that fails to make significant ments or corrupt police systems are ment is important, but so is under- efforts to bring itself into compli- the source of the perpetuation of sex standing the deeper issues behind ance with the minimum standards trafficking colored the whole of the trafficking’s existence and expan- for the elimination of trafficking in report. The sections on protection sion. If we are ever going to eradi- persons, as outlined by the Traffick- mainly discuss the laws (or lack of cate women’s enslavement, the U.S. ing Victims Protection Act (TVPA), laws) that would force government government cannot place so much receives a ‘Tier Three’ assessment involvement in “victim” assistance. emphasis on law enforcement of- in this report,” and continues, “such “Victim” is placed in quotes here to ficers “saving victims.” Emphasis on an assessment could trigger the emphasize how the focus on law persecution reinforces stereotypes withholding by the United States of enforcement as a solution to sex of women as weak, childlike and non-humanitarian, non-trade related trafficking relies on viewing women needing to be saved. These are the WIFP 11 Violence Against Women same stereotypes that rob women of because the women form their small- In the question-and-answer segment the power to control their bodies and er anti-trafficking groups that they that followed Gupta’s presentation, lives. Phrases like “victim” and the run and manage. In the process of several of the NGOs commended emotionally charged photographs fighting for the futures of their daugh- Apne Aap’s attention to women’s em- used by the U.S. to evoke sympa- ters, these trafficked women become powerment as a key aspect of ending thy for the cause make women of empowered themselves and gain sexual slavery. Even Ambassador developing nations look like power- the courage and community support Lagon made the comment that gov- less, faceless children waiting to be necessary to demand freedom from ernments should consider this direct rescued by male police officers. The their pimps and traffickers. Gupta work with women as a “form of pre- U.S. government must continue to went on to explain that Apne Aap vention.” One NGO representative persecute the traffickers responsible also provides educational services to asked Gupta what the possibilities but also change their view of women young boys within the Red Light Dis- were for “governments to sponsor and promote methods that get to the tricts who are at risk for larger programs root of women’s disempowerment in recruitment by sex traf- of empowering order to save future generations from fickers. Women of Apne women.” Gupta enslavement. Aap show these boys responded that first hand that women the Indian gov- While there was no recognition of are worthy of respect ernment does not women’s disenfranchisement as a and should not be ex- recognize women source of the problem found in the ploited and that there in its laws and fails report or the briefing, Ruchira Gupta, are better options for to prioritize the is- founder of the Indian NGO Apne Aap, both boys and girls out- sue of sex traffick- brought this issue to the forefront of side the red light district ing on the national the session with refreshing clarity. life. Gupta commented agenda. Women For those who wished to stay after on the major successes Rendering of Ruchira Gupta of Apne Aap must be empow- the briefing, the State Department they have had in these districts and ered within their communities if they had invited Ruchira Gupta to speak the joy she gets from seeing women are to be empowered within larger to the group about her work to end actively change their communities. society. By giving women a voice trafficking in Indian Red Light- Dis After an hour-long briefing about and a stake in their own futures, not tricts. At this time, Gupta presented laws, police officers and government to mention expanding their choices her multi-dimensional approach to officials, finally the women directly beyond a life of prostitution, Apne ending sex trafficking that went far affected by the continuation of sex Aap is working for a permanent solu- beyond law enforcement. Apne Aap trafficking were discussed as -indi tion using methods that acknowledge is a survivor-led organization that viduals, NOT as victims, with their and address the larger problem of builds community centers within own voice and agency. national devaluation of women. red light districts in India. Founded in 1998, Gupta’s group provides Another successful project of Apne There is an obvious difference be- counseling, economic options and Aap that especially impressed us tween the Apne Aap approach and legal representation to women. Apne here at the Institute was Gupta’s the State Department approach. Aap also works with local police self-published Red Light Despatch, Proven success of their methods, and governments, but their method a modest newsletter written and as well as the inclusion of women’s ensures that trafficked women are edited by the trafficked women of voices, were aspects of Gupta’s pre- actors in the process of enforcing Indian communities. Much of the sentation that seemed to be glaringly and enacting laws. newsletter discusses the need for absent from the State Department’s women to “control their own bod- report. From Gupta’s perspective, As Gupta stated, “We first approach ies,” and as Gupta explained, “to women were never referred to as the women as mothers.” Apne Aap have a choice means to have more victims or in need of being saved. tells these women to examine their than one option.” Filled with poetry, They were individuals capable own lives, filled with abuse and sex- news articles and stories as well as of speaking for themselves and ual violence, and asks if this is what letters to committees, this newsletter making change. When Gupta was they want for their daughters. From is a true embodiment of the women’s speaking, I found myself hoping that this perspective, the women become voice and empowerment that Apne Ambassador Lagon was listening activists against sex trafficking. The Aap promotes as an integral part in with careful attention. If Lagon and group uses the term “survivor-led” eliminating sexual enslavement. the U.S. Government truly wish to WIFP 12 Violence Against Women “ultimately abolish the egregious crime of human trafficking,” Untold Crimes: Violence Against then the next TIP report should expand its focus beyond law Native Americans enforcement. The U.S. should advise other governments to by Deanna Kaplan sponsor programs like Apne Aap on a nation-wide scale. The “Tier System” should be based on not only a nation’s efforts ost among sporadic hype about Native to punish traffickers but also efforts to raise women’s place in American alcoholism, drug abuse, and the social structure. Apne Aap provides a successful model for economic woes lurks an even more deadly and programs that could be put in place in communities worldwide. devastating problem, largely ignored by the me- If Lagon and the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in dia: violence against Native Americans. Persons would take the initiative to re-evaluate the Trafficking Protection Act and its focus on punishment rather than the According to Linda Lo- status of women, then the U.S. could, with NGOs like Apne gan, executive director Aap, make headway towards ending sexual slavery. of the Native American Children’s Alliance, vio- The media must be an integral part of this shifting view. The lence in Native Ameri- habit of presenting women, especially women in developing can communities is a nations, as weak and in need of rescue is not exclusive to persistent threat in the the U.S. government. The image of the helpless “third world” lives of all Native Americans – men, women, woman has pervaded the mass media as well as American and children. Yet, “it’s one of the least reported policies. Media coverage of the issue of sex trafficking needs crimes in the United States. Who wants to talk to follow the lead of The Red Light Despatch. We should listen about rape, hate crimes and child sexual abuse? to the women who have seen first-hand the dehumanization Everybody wants to ignore it.” caused by sexual slavery and have been presented with the opportunity to speak, to be empowered, and to take back the In response to advocates like Logan, the U.S. control that was stolen from them. The media can spur this Department of Justice last investigated this is- change. The media has the power and resources to present sue in 2002 and discovered that American Indi- these women’s stories. Unless there is a change in both the ans are victims of violence at more than twice media and government, all the efforts of passionate officials like the national average rate: On average, one in Ambassador Lagon will only continue to work for an incomplete every ten American Indians twelve or older has and superficial solution to this awful (and growing) violation of experienced some form of violent crime. Native human rights. Our government and the mass media cannot be American women were found to be more than hesitant to expand its current view on sex trafficking and look twice as likely to be victims of violent crimes to the women being trafficked for leadership. than non-Native women are. In 66% of crimes
To help Apne Aap’s Current Campaigns, please visit: http://www.equalitynow.org against American Indians, Natives report that the Website for viewing the Full Text of the Trafficking-In Persons Report Online: http:// perpetrator was of a non-Native descent. This www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2008/ number drastically increases in sexual assault Recommended Reading: Sold By Patricia McCormick (for more information on the book visit: www.pattymccormick.com ) crimes, in which four out of five perpetrators are Help Support Media Democracy: Donate to the Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press Name: Address: Phone: Email: Yes, I would like to contribute $ to WIFP Yes, I would like to become a sustaining supporter ($15-$20 a month) Contributions are tax-deductible. Please make checks payable to WIFP. WIFP 13 Violence Against Women described as white. can Indians are victimized by non- orders in cases involving sexual as- Indians. Many of these crimes are sault, domestic violence, dating vio- Logan, like many other Native Ameri- hate crimes, fueled by negative lence, and stalking. In recent years, can advocates, believes that these stereotypes created by the media VAWA has continued to propose new already unsettling estimates may and by vulnerability. programs and funding to fight victim- be low and that Native Americans ization of American Indians. – particularly women and children – Many social programs available are dealing with unspoken domestic to states are unavailable to tribal However, despite these positive violence at immeasurable rates. governments. These include health- Congressional steps, these court care, education, substance abuse, rights have recently become endan- With an estimate of one Native adoption, and welfare programs, all gered. Currently under review by the woman being violated every hour, of which Logan says are severely Supreme Court is Plains Commerce Karen Artichoker, director of Sacred under-funded. According to Sacred Bank v. Long Family Land & Cattle Circle National Resource Center to Circle, though there are over 570 Co, a case spurred by problems End Violence Against Native Wom- Indian Nations, there are only around between a Native American family en, has declared violence against 30 shelters designed to serve Na- who took out a loan and the non- Native women to be “a national tive women in the entire nation. Native-affiliated bank that provided crisis.” No statistics are available Many states alone it. The bank has on the rates of physical and sexual have this number of appealed to de- violence against American Indian shelters available to crease the juris- children. Advocacy organizations non-Native women. diction of tribal like NACA who deal with claims and courts, and the witness tribal struggles know that Individuals who are ability that the rates are disturbingly high. To Logan, uneducated or suf- tribal courts have this is more evidence of how much fering from a health to protect Native this issue is “under-researched and problem, abuse Americans once under-funded.” problem, or cannot again rests in the afford to take care Supreme Court’s But why all the violence against this of themselves are hands. demographic? The root causes of much more vulner- violence are complex and deeply able to attack. For Because of the interlinked. “As for Indian on Indian Native Americans, multi-faceted na- crime, it is completely linked to his- these problems ture of the causes torical trauma. There has been a have been a wide- Found at: http://www.sacred-circle.com/ of violence, ad- tremendous breakdown of culture spread crisis. vocacy organizations like Sacred over the years,” says Logan. Circle suggest that it must be fought The vulnerability does not end here. in several different ways. Hate crime Abuse was virtually unheard of until As tribal governments are strug- legislation must be enforced. Gov- the European invasion. The combi- gling to protect their members, tribal ernment funding must be increased nation of extensive relocation, en- courts are also battling for control. so that social programs and other re- slavement, lack of rights, and forced “Judicial protection is very poor,” sources can be improved and made assimilation into “American” culture says Logan. more readily available. Traditional, caused this breakdown. As cultural non-violent cultural values must be beliefs and traditions that empha- At present federal law dictates that re-taught and remembered. Tribal sized communalism, pacifism, and legal issues involving Native Ameri- courts must continue to be able to reverence of women dissolved, cans can be heard in two types of fairly and justly protect the tribes they inter-tribe violence skyrocketed. courts: tribal courts or state courts. represent. The Department of Justice has also Tribal courts may hear cases only found alcoholism and drug abuse to in which a non-Native consensually For more information, or to find out how to get involved, visit: Native Children’s be closely linked with violent crime, engages in a transaction with a tribal Alliance (www.nativechildalliance.org), neither of which were present before member (Montana v. United States, Sacred Cirlce (www.sacred-circle.com), forced assimilation. 1981). The Violence Against Women and the National Congress of American Act of 1994 additionally provided Indians (www.ncai.org). However, the vast majority of Ameri- tribal courts power to give protection WIFP 14 Violence Against Women Supreme Court Sides ing, this exception does not apply in her own wrongdoings. Quoting the With Murderer; Giles’s case. Scalia wrote that the author of the original treatise on the mere fact that Giles murdered Avie forfeiture clause, Breyer wrote that a Media is Silent was not enough evidence to forfeit defendant “shall never be admitted to by Bonnie Carlson his Sixth Amendment shelter himself by rights; in order to give such evil Practic- wayne Giles murdered his up his right to face his es on the Witness, girlfriend, Brenda Avie on accuser, Scalia claimed that being to give September 29, 2002. After shooting the prosecution would him Advantage of her six times, he fled the scene. Two have to have proven that his own Wrong” weeks later, he was apprehended Giles committed the mur- (Breyer 35). Giles by police and charged with mur- der with the intention of should not be per- der. The prosecution uncovered a preventing her from testi- mitted to benefit taped phone conversation between fying against him. Since from murdering Brenda Avie and a police officer that it was unclear through- Avie, and thus was made three weeks before she out the trial whether or should not benefit was killed. In this taped phone call, not Giles knew that Avie from the rights of Avie was crying and told the police had informed the police the Sixth Amend- officer that her boyfriend, Dwayne of his behavior, Scalia ment Giles, was physically abusing her reasoned that he did and had threatened to kill her. This not necessarily kill her Pulled from photobucket.com Breyer continues phone conversation was used by the to keep her from bringing charges by noting that Giles’ intent behind prosecution to demonstrate Giles’s against him or testifying against him. killing Avie is insignificant in this case history of violence. Thus, he had not forfeited his right and places an undue burden on the to face Avie for the accusations she prosecution. Whether or not Giles In a district court, Giles was found made against him. was specifically acting to silence guilty by a jury of his peers and ap- Avie the end result was the same. pealed the decision to the California Scalia concluded with remarks re- Also, Breyer claims that requiring Court of Appeal and then the Cali- garding the rights of victims versus the prosecution to definitively deter- fornia Supreme Court, both of which the rights of the accused. He made mine Giles’ thought process before upheld the conviction. Giles claimed strong appeals for defending the and during the murder is unrealistic that the courts’ use of Avie’s taped rights of the accused, claiming that and impossible and gives criminals phone conversation with the police people accused of crimes must be an undue benefit. He writes that “a violated his Sixth Amendment right to awarded all rights delegated to them constitutional evidentiary require- face his accuser; since Giles did not in the Constitution. He wrote that ment that insists upon a showing have the opportunity to question Avie “domestic violence is an intolerable of purpose (rather than simply a regarding her accusations against offense that legislatures may choose probabilistic knowledge) may per- him, Giles felt that his conviction was to combat through any means… But mit the domestic partner who made unjustified. His case was heard by for that serious crime, as for others, the threats, caused the violence, or the United States Supreme Court in abridging the constitutional rights even murdered the victim to avoid April of 2008. In a six-three decision of criminal defendants is not in the confrontation for earlier crimes by for Giles v. California, the Court sided State’s arsenal” (Scalia 23). The taking advantage of later ones” with Giles, ruling that he had indeed majority of the Court, then, ruled that (Breyer 57-58). In other words, this been stripped of his Sixth Amend- protecting the rights of the accused type of burden on the prosecution ment right to face his accuser. The must take precedence in criminal will serve only to allow perpetrators Supreme Court sent the case back trials. of domestic violence to benefit from to the California state courts for a further harming their victims. retrial without the use of the taped Writing for the dissent, Justice Ste- conversation. phen Breyer took issue with Scalia’s Clearly, this case holds major impli- interpretation with the application of cations in the realm of domestic vio- Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the the forfeiture by wrongdoing clause lence. Recognizing this, the Battered majority opinion for the Court. He of the Sixth Amendment. Breyer Women’s Justice Project filed a brief claimed that while Sixth Amendment argued that it is legally unacceptable to the U.S. Supreme Court urging rights can be forfeited by wrongdo- for a criminal to benefit from his or them to uphold Giles’s convection. WIFP 15 Violence Against Women The brief decries the potential harm In the few instances where the big as the decision itself; it serves as yet were the court to decide in favor of media corporations decided to cover another bleak warning for the need to Giles, stating, “by its nature, a bat- this case, the coverage itself did little keep ourselves informed and make terer’s violent and coercive course to convey the seriousness of the de- our voices heard. of conduct carries with it an intent to cision and its implications for victims Sources: silence his significant other. Indeed, of domestic violence. An examina- Amicus Curiae Brief of the Battered Women’s Justice Project and Domestic Violence Organizations. http:// domestic violence homicide is the tion of several news story headlines www.abanet.org/publiced/preview/briefs/pdfs/07-08/07- 6053espondentAmCuBatteredWomensJustProjOtrDom- ultimate act of silencing. A specific makes it clear that the gravity of the ViolOrgs.pdf Giles v. California Opinions of the Court http://www.supre- intent requirement would only further decision was lost on members of the mecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-6053.pdf Biskupic, Joan. “Court Affirms Right to Confront Wit- the batterer’s campaign to silence his mainstream media. For example, nesses”. June 25, 2008. USA Today. http://www. usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2008-06-25- murdered victim’s voice trammeling in the one article that USA Today courtbox_N.htm on fundamental principles of equal- published regarding the case, the Johnson, Carrie. “Right to Face Accusers Is Affirmed in Un- usual Case”. June 26, 2008. Washington Post. http://www. ity” (12). Just as Breyer wrote in his headline read “Court Affirms Right washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/25/ AR2008062502614.html?hpid=topnews dissent, then, advocates for victims to Confront Witnesses.” In a similar of domestic violence recognized tone, the Washington Post ran an the danger of a decision supporting article about the case with the head- Sex Workers’ Art Show: A Giles’s case. Future prosecutors in line reading “Right to Face Accusers Highlight domestic violence cases must oper- Is Affirmed in Unusual Case.” Even by Sarah Glover ated under the assumption that the when the media did cover this case, highest court in the land will be more then, the coverage itself was prob- n January and February 2008, inclined to support criminal rights lematic and did little to alert people the twelfth annual tour of the Sex than to support victim rights. to the potential consequences of the Workers’ Art Show traveled across decision. the nation, seeking to dispel the myth If you are wondering why this Su- that sex workers “are anything short preme Court case does not sound The Supreme Court’s decision in of artists, innovators, and geniuses1.” familiar, it is probably because it Giles v. California marks a historic This cabaret-style show is composed does not. The mainstream media low in the fight against domestic vio- of people from all areas of the sex in- all but ignored this decision and its lence. The highest court in the nation dustry who use dance, spoken word, behemoth implications for victims of has declared the importance of de- music, poetry, and narrative to make domestic violence. In order to fully fendant’s rights over victims’ rights, statements on a wide range of socio- grasp the dearth of media attention and the face of domestic violence economic issues including class, surrounding this case, let’s examine prosecution has been permanently race, gender, labor, and sexuality. the coverage from the nation’s three altered. Fortunately, there continue The show’s organizer Annie Oakley most widely circulated newspapers: to be women activists who recognize describes the mission of the Sex USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, such threats and work daily to over- Workers’ Art Show “to demystify the and the New York Times. Between come them. This July, the National industry, to humanize the people who these three publications, USA Today Coalition Against Domestic Violence work in it. The goal is not to glorify the was the only one to run a full-length hosted its thirtieth anniversary con- work, but to help present the whole news story after the decision was ference to discuss the continuing complicated messy picture2… I hope handed down from the Supreme problem of domestic violence in the the show gets America to understand Court. The online edition of the United States. For this Supreme that prostitutes are people who de- Wall Street Journal contained only a Court case, unfortunately, the deci- serve to be treated with respect and two-sentence summary of the deci- sion itself is not the only injustice. dignity3.” sion, listed with forty-five other case Rather than alerting people to the summaries. The New York Times true nature of this case, the main- (Endnotes) squeezed in a three-paragraph stream media has instead chosen 1 Sex Workers’ Art Show
Right Photograph from left to right: Andrea Korte (Summer and Fall 2008), Amy Buck, Martha Allen (WIFP Director), Christine De- loatch (Fall 2008), Bonnie Carlson, Sarah Glover, Deanna Kaplan WIFP 17 Media Democracy Highlights and Current Events Media Spotlight on off our backs by Andrea Korte After 38 years of continuous publication, off our backs faces the threat of closing down. The rising cost of printing means that funding is available for only one more issue, but in order to continue printing, the women behind the periodical are seeking help from the readers they have engaged throughout the years. To make sure that this issue will not be their last, see www.offourbacks.org to make a donation. Any contribution will fund a continuing tradition of content that is “by, for, and about women.”
Since their founding in 1970, the collectively run newsjournal has maintained a stalwart presence among feminist voices. While the publication covers a range of topics from current events to culture in both news and feature pieces, off our backs has presented particularly strong coverage of pressing and troubling issues involving women and media. A recent article called “A Chilling Effect” exposed threats and violence faced by women journalists around the world, illuminating the repercussions – ranging from online harassment to murder – faced by women speaking out against injustice. Another piece titled “Flesh and Bones” interpreted representations of women in both pornography, in which femininity is exaggerated and demeaned, and high fashion, an industry that erases any semblance of womanhood – an analysis that contrasted the implications of the two mediums while calling attention to the anti-feminist humiliation inherent in their imagery.
Throughout their history, off our backs has highlighted news that is ignored by mainstream media and turned a critical eye toward issues relevant to women, and readers can help ensure that such crucial coverage is not silenced.
If properly enforced, the program would not be reflective of the issues WIFP Petitions the FCC: would work to encourage media di- affecting the American people, and Preserving Designated Entities versity by enabling everyone to gain would be a poor source of informa- for Minority Media Justice access to media outlets regardless tion. Therefore, the FCC’s decision by Deanna Kaplan and Annie Brown of socio-economic status, thereby to alter this program is being met by preventing further media consolida- a joint petition. he FCC recently removed fur- tion by corporations dominated by ther checks against media con- white males. However, the program In June 2008, the Women’s Institute solidation, and the affected minority has become inefficient in recent for Freedom of the Press joined sev- and women’s groups are responding years due to lack of proper support eral other minority media groups in with appeal. The FCC’s decision, and attention by the Federal Com- supporting Council Tree Communi- which changed rules concerning munications Commission. cations, Bethel Native Corporation, “Designated Entity” participation in and The Minority Media Council in auctions for wireless radio chan- Most recently, the FCC issued a their petition for review of orders of nels, has been met by a joint petition. mandate drastically altering the the FCC. Other supporters include This case reveals the conservative framework of the program. Now DEs the National Hispanic Media Coali- attitude of the current FCC towards are required to hold licenses for ten tion, the National Indian Telecom the free press and the importance of years if they wish to participate in Institute, the Asian American Justice media minority groups nationwide. auctions and retain Designated En- Center, and the NAACP. tity benefits. Since these rule chang- The Designated Entity Program es, several minority and women’s The petition argues that not only The Designed Entity Program was media groups including have lost were these rules adopted without formed under the Communica- auction funding. No longer able to proper notice or procedure, but they tions Act of 1934 with the intended participate, these groups lost access undermine the effectiveness of the purpose of promoting “diversity of to valuable wireless channels. diversity initiatives intended by the ownership and competition.” Des- Designated Entity Program. ignated Entities (DEs) are primar- The Petition ily comprised of small businesses The Designated Entity Program is Associate Bonnie Carlson, repre- owned by minorities and women. a crucial measure for ensuring that senting WIFP, contributed a section Under the program, DEs had the money is not the determining fac- to the petition against the FCC in right to participate in auctions for tor in media access. Alterations to which she summarized the im- media outlet access regardless of this program could lead to a media portance of media democracy for financing, and the FCC was required that offers only the perspective of women. The section states that the to aid under-funded groups in the those able to afford it. Such a media FCC has not only failed to fulfill its bidding process. would be saturated with omissions, obligation to women-owned media WIFP 18 Media Democracy Highlights and Current Events organizations, but it has also actively by the common media, most are conferences, and networking op- prevented women from participating represented by advocacy organiza- portunities for students and profes- equally in mass communications. tions. Listed below are profiles of sionals alike. For more information, Carlson’s brief also finds citizens several minority and women’s media visit: are harmed by a male dominated organizations and how to contact media that lacks female perspective. them. The following organizations The National Association of Black The WIFP section of the brief can be are dedicated to combating a ho- Journalists. http://www.nabj.org found at the end of this article, lead- mogenous media and enriching the The Asian American Journalists As- ing onto page 20. perspective of the information to sociation. http://www.aaja.org which Americans have access: The Native American Journalism As- WIFP maintains that a fair, bal- sociation. http://www.naja.com anced, and accurate media cannot Free Press: Promotes media diver- The National Association of Hispanic exist without newsrooms that directly sity, independent ownership, and Journalists. http://www.nahj.org reflect the nation it reports on: both deconsolidation. Free Press has sexes, all races, and all socioeco- several active, issue-specific cam- There are many more organizations nomic classes. The Designated En- paigns across the country and offers working to achieve a diverse, accu- tity Program is a key component of a wide variety of ways for anyone to rate, and free press. WIFP maintains fair media licensing, and in the brief get involved. www.freepress.net a database of these organizations time that it has been partially sus- and how to get in touch with them. pended, several small media groups UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.: Visit www.wifp.org/communication- have already lost radio access. The Represents all minority groups news.html for more information. majority of these small media groups and promotes newsroom diversity. are minority and women’s rights or- UNITY hopes to achieve a nation ganizations – the voices our media of newsrooms reflective of the com- FCC Brief is lacking most. Media diversity can- munities they cover, and therefore by Bonnie Carlson not be maintained and enhanced if a nation of people with an accurate programs like The Designated Entity understanding of current events from pecifically in regards to the Program are not preserved. multiple perspectives. They offer a rights of women-owned media variety of workshops, conferences, corporations, it is imperative that Minority Media Justice fellowships, awards, and courses the rights of Designated Entities be As minority groups and women con- for others with the same goal. www. retained. In recent years, Congress tinue to struggle to get their voices unityjournalists.org has made it explicitly clear that me- heard, limits placed on designated dia licensing and ownership is to be entities by the FCC are only one National Federation of Press Wom- maintained by a variety of American of many legislative challenges. Ac- en: An organization of students, citizens. A hindrance to this rule that cording to a 2007 survey done by professionals, and retirees, offers places an excessive burden upon the American Society of Newspaper conferences, networking opportuni- women and minority-owned media Editors (ASNE) of paper and internet ties, education grants, competitions, corporations is not only unjustified newsrooms, print newsrooms in the and current events newsletters to its but is outside the scope of the Com- United States are 86.38% white. members. NFPW Aims to support munications Act itself. These exces- ASNE additionally found that 392 women working in the communica- sive burdens harm the women and newspapers have an all-white staff. tions field. www.nfpw.org minority groups who seek their share A 2007 survey conducted by the of media access but also distort the Radio-Television News Directors There are several associations that media representations to which all Association (RTNDA) found that support, encourage, and advocate American citizens are exposed. radio newsrooms are 93.8% white, for minorities working in journalism and television newsrooms are 78.5% and media-related fields. These In 2007, the Free Press published white. According to RTNDA, televi- organizations work to expand the the findings of two studies conducted sion stations are 60.1% male, and number of minorities in journalism during the previous year. They found radio stations are 75.6% male. in order to promote the fair and bal- that, despite women representing anced coverage of issues affecting fifty-one percent of the population Fighting legislative battles is not the minority groups. These organiza- of the United States, women own only way to get involved. Though all tions additionally offer scholarships, just six percent of full-power com- demographics are not represented internships, fellowships, workshops, mercial broadcast radio stations and WIFP 19 Media Democracy Highlights and Current Events fewer than six percent of all com- who owns the media is di- news coverage of her personal life mercial television stations. One of rectly related to policies that than did her opponents.4 The study the studies, entitled “Off the Dial,” determine who gets a federal also found that Bush, McCain, and states that “allowing further industry license to operate and who Forbes were far more likely than consolidation will unquestionably does not.” 3 Dole to have their words directly diminish the number of female- and quotes. Dole, on the other hand, minority-owned stations.” 1 The Media ownership, then, has an in- had her words paraphrased approxi- other study, entitled “Out of the Pic- credible influence on public opinion mately fifty-five percent of the time, ture,” notes that “if just a handful of and even on public awareness. compared to thirty-eight percent for female and minority-owned stations With media ownership consolidated her opponents. Each of the news- were lost to consolidation, these primarily among men, men have a papers examined for this study was already anemic numbers would fall unique and insurmountable advan- male-dominated, and it is clear that precipitously.”2 The rules created by tage over women to influence public this dominance influenced the nature the FCC against Designated Entities opinion. In turn, the general public of the written news reports. In order are conducive to a consolidated me- is exposed to unrepresentative news to ensure fair news coverage, it is dia market and will inevitably lead to coverage. Stories important to wom- essential that news organizations a further decrease in the number of en’s lives are often left undiscussed themselves be diversified. female-owned media corporations. in the mass media because they are Unless these rules are repealed, the deemed insignificant by male media media market will continue to cater corporations. To be truly represen- The aforementioned 2007 Free only to the needs of well-established, tative and impart a representative Press study found that female and white male-owned media groups. influence on public opinion, media minority-owned radio stations led ownership must reflect the demo- to a more diverse program content While the new FCC rules are clearly graphics of the United States. in the markets in which they aired. harmful to women seeking media Diversity of media ownership, then, control, the regulations also harm One telling example of the skewed results in diversity of content avail- the general American public. Public media coverage resulting from able to listeners. As the study notes, exposure to the media shapes public primarily male media ownership “Policymakers have forgotten the opinion on a variety of issues. As is the misrepresentation or lack of reason behind ownership rules and noted by the LCCREF, representation for female political limits on consolidations: Increasing “The way the public looks at candidates. The White House Proj- diversity and localism in ownership issues – and whether of not ect conducted a study in 1999 in will produce more diverse speech, the public is even aware of the months preceding the race for more choice for listeners, and more certain issues like fair hous- the Republican presidential nomina- owners who are responsive to their ing and voter discrimination tion for 2000. The candidates vying local communities.”5 Only through – is directly related to the way for the nomination were Elizabeth this type of diverse media coverage these issues are covered Dole, George W. Bush, John Mc- can citizens be ensured a complete by the media. The way that Cain, and Steve Forbes. The study understanding of current events. Not media covers these issues examined newspaper coverage of only must the Federal Communica- is directly related to who is all four candidates and found that tions Commission uphold its obliga- employed by the media – the Elizabeth Dole received far less tion to women and minority-owned reporters, producers and coverage pertaining to political is- media groups, it also must meet its anchors who tell the stories. sues than did her opponents. On responsibility to the broader popu- Who is employed by the average, thirty-two percent of the lation to guarantee diverse media media is directly related to newspaper coverage of Bush, Mc- coverage. who owns the media. And Cain, and Forbes focused on politi- 4 http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/ cal issues; only seventeen percent culture/researchandpolls/ 1 http://www.freepress.net/files/off_the_ of the newspaper coverage of Dole Devitt, James. 1998. The White House dial_summary.pdf Project. Turner, Derek S. Off The Dial: Female and was focused on issue coverage. In 5 http://www.freepress.net/files/off_the_ Minority Radio Station Ownership in the contrast, Dole received much more dial_summary.pdf Unted States. 2007. Free Press. Turner, Derek S. Off The Dial: Female and 2 http://www.freepress.net/files/otp2007.pdf 3 http://www.civilrights.org/assets/pdfs/ Minority Radio Station Ownership in the Turner, Derek S. Out of The Picture 2007: media-justice-activist-toolkit.pdf Unted States. 2007. Minority and Female TV Station Ownership Media Diversity Matters. Leadership Con- in the United States. 2007. Free Press. ference on Civil Rights Education Fund. WIFP 20 Radio Highlights Women’s International News Gathering Service Radio Warriors Strike Back (WINGS) by Andrea Korte by Bonnie Carlson Founded in 1986, the Women’s International News Gathering Service Pirate radio may conjure up ideas (WINGS) is dedicated to broadcasting women’s issues over the radio. of stations broadcasting illicitly from According to its mission statement, WINGS is “an all-woman network of offshore, but current operators of reporters producing and distributing news and current affairs programs by low-power radio stations don’t quite and about women around the world.” fit with this outlaw image. Instead, these radio warriors are fighting The group’s biggest undertaking is its weekly news radio program. This legally against media conglomer- weekly segment features international news items pertaining to women. ates as part of a greater localism The program’s topics range from a piece on Sonia Jacobs, the only female movement committed to putting lo- death-row inmate of Florida, to an anti-violence speech given by Chung cal media in local hands. Low-power Hyun Kyung, a Korean feminist theologian. WINGS also accepts guest radio is an ideal avenue for those contributions to its radio program in the form of written or recorded news broadcasters – including local ac- stories. An archive of past radio segments is hosted by the University of tivist groups with little chance of at- South Florida Department of Women’s Studies and is available through the taining a traditional FCC-designated WINGS website. license – seeking to reach a concen- trated group of individuals instead Once a year WINGS also produces an hour-long radio program called of covering a wide-ranging area. the Women’s News Roundup to feature the “hottest women’s radio news Though low-power radio stations stories of the year.” Recordings of this annual broadcast are also archived may not possess the same licenses and available online. held by a Clear Channel-owned out- fit, their efforts are not outside the For more information visit www.wings.org or subscribe to their mailing list boundaries of the law. In 2000, the by contacting [email protected]. FCC created a restricted broadcast license for non-commercial stations Feminist International Radio Endeavor (FIRE) operating with fewer than 100 watts. by Bonnie Carlson Thousands of applications were The Feminist International Radio Endeavor (FIRE), is a Latin American submitted after the implementation feminist media organization that was developed from an initiative by femi- of the Low-Power FM (LPFM) ser- nist Genevieve Vaughn in 1991. The stated objective of the organization is vice and several hundred licenses “connecting voices, technologies and actions…giving a voice to the voice- were awarded; however, the win- less.” The organization began with a world-wide shortwave radio program dow for applications was only open but has since evolved with new media developments. In 1998, FIRE shifted briefly, restricting legal community to an Internet-based radio broadcast, the first feminist program of its kind. broadcasting outside the grip of According to its website “FIRE works to disseminate new forms of commu- consolidated media. Yet groups nication, contributing to shift the international flow of information, providing like Prometheus Radio Project are access to women’s perspectives by using traditional and new technologies committed to making radio a viable to develop a new concept of radio.” independent media source, recog- nizing that the current system for Currently, FIRE is involved with several exciting projects. Most recently, distributing licenses hinders local they have participated in the 2008 Women’s World Congress, held in July communities. The highest bidder of this year in Madrid, Spain. FIRE provided media coverage of the con- may win, but the public loses. ference, which featured well-known feminist activist Nawal El Saadawi, among many other speakers. FIRE also planned three sessions for the Sources: Congress pertaining to international women’s radio. FIRE co-director María Adams, Michael H. and Steven Phipps. Suárez Toro also hosted a panel discussion about her new book entitled “Low-Power Radio/Microradio.” Mu- Mujeres: Metamorfosis del Efecto Mariposa (Women: Metamorphosis of seum of Broadcast Communications the Butterfly Effect). Encyclopedia of Radio. www.freepress.net/lpfm The FIRE website contains archives of all its radio programs since 1998 as http://prometheusradio.org well as important news stories pertaining to women’s equality. Check them out at http://www.fire.or.cr/indexeng.htm. WIFP 21 Media Consolidation Independence and Inno- casting under Mussolini, though she norms changed with new FCC regu- vation in the Golden Age: was ousted from her position after al- lations regarding station ownership. tering translations In the late 20th century, the FCC Learning from Radio’s History of propaganda for moved away from their view of by Andrea Korte broadcast. She radio as a public trustee, transi- fled to the United tioning instead to a free market hen wireless operators at States and se- model. Eliminating limits on the sea were stunned to hear cured a job com- number of stations one corpo- voices amid Morse code beeps dur- menting for NBC, ration could own on a national ing the world’s first radio broadcast in but she was given level was a response to the 1906, the broadcast was just a nov- a narrow range of new guiding philosophy, one elty. It would be fifteen years before subjects to cover that assumes market forces corporations recognized the power on account of her will regulate format diversity. and potential of the new medium, gender. Sergio Photograph of Lisa Sergio, Today, after the implementa- but radio eventually would come to found at http://library.george- was restricted to tion of the Telecommunications dominate public life by the middle of town.edu/dept/speccoll/ser- softer “women’s giobg.jpg Act of 1996, ownership limita- the century. However, space avail- news,” but with World War II loom- tions have been relaxed and a trend able on radio bands was finite, and ing, she sought to transition to of media consolidation persists. a developing interest in radio caused commenting on politics and reading Though in the name of increased the airwaves to grow crowded. In an hard news. Even after more than a format diversity, deregulation has era not long after the implementa- decade in broadcasting and consid- resulted in an oligopoly-dominated tion of the antitrust laws of the early erable experience in politics thanks industry, one with 34 percent fewer 1900s, the Federal Radio Commis- to her work in Italy, Sergio was not station owners since the act was sion deemed it necessary to enforce seen as a viable newsreader and instated. the number of stations that could be commentator, jobs that were mostly owned by corporations in the interest the domain of men. Instead, she left The development of new media fre- of format diversity. NBC for WQXR, a station in New quently results in a re-evaluation of York whose independent program- an older medium, eliciting changes In accordance with the 1927 Radio ming philosophy made room for so that it may continue to thrive in a Act and the Communications Act of greater experimentation, defying the changed environment. When radio 1934, limits were set on the number conventions of the era that insisted was first threatened by the emer- of stations that could be owned by upon gendered division existing in gence of television, radio responded any one corporation: one AM and radio programming and credibility as by specializing in local coverage, one FM station in a local area and synonymous with masculinity. something that continues today seven of each on a national level, a with the localism movement, which “Rule of Seven” that was the rule of At the independent station, Sergio’s fights to reclaim diverse local radio thumb for many years. The limitation reports aired during the morning slot programming from nationally con- placed upon licensing reflected the (seen traditionally as the domain of solidated stations owned by media role that the newly renamed Federal women’s news), but she also broad- conglomerates. Yet even as old Communications Commission envi- casted during the prime evening technologies learn from the new and sioned for radio: public trustee. In or- spot. Drawing upon her own experi- adapt to stay afloat in a changing me- der to best serve the public, the FCC ences in Europe without resorting to dia environment, newer technologies enforced ownership limits to ensure the blatantly opinionated work of her can also learn from the past mistakes the greatest format diversity, an idea less-worldly peers, Sergio read and of older forms of media. As Michael that guided the commission through commented on the news without any J. Copps of the FCC has noted, there radio’s first 60 years, an era that concern for whether her audience is “something of a model to look at as spans the medium’s golden age. consisted of men or women, going we attempt to analyze what eliminat- against the established policies of ing concentration protections might The predominance of independently network radio. do to the media – namely, the radio owned stations during the early years industry.” The battles of radio, seem- of radio resulted in an environment This environment of the indepen- ingly finished but still being fought, that allowed Lisa Sergio’s career to dently owned station that encour- take on new significance in the In- flourish. Sergio was an Italian-born aged innovation and excellence ternet age. Though web content is journalist who got her start broad- regardless of established network unbound by the limitations of radio WIFP 22 Media Consolidation bands, consolidated media is still Structures of Italian in Italy, media control has become an obstacle for independent voices. Media: A Selection from less of a problem, but it is still preva- Remembering the history of radio – lent as conservative Italians attempt and its successes with independently “Hooking Up: An to keep traditional Italian ways intact. driven content – means not repeat- International Study” Despite systematic efforts to keep all ing it and preserving the democratic by Amy Buck media under governmental control, aspects of a medium with unlimited there has been lasting success of potential. s we know, television: in America “The long-lasting success Sources: all types of media of television in Italy can be Copps, Michael J. “The ‘Vast Waste- strongly shape explained by the fact that land’ Revisited: Headed for More of each individual. networks and channels were the Same.” Federal Communications As women are able to meet the demands of Law Journal. more exposed to Italian people, in different peri- Polinsky, Heather. “The Factors Af- scantily clad im- ods of time and circumstance, fecting Radio Format Diversity After Found at: http://bloggingdottie. ages of women with an offer of programs and the Telecommunications Act of 1996: blogspot.com/ who resemble the scheduling criteria which have Ownership Concentration, Stations likeliness of Twiggy, they are more something in common. In spite and Audience.” Journal of Radio & likely to feel great expectations to be of restrictive rules and the Audio Media. thin and promiscuous. Just as men, heavy influence of political Spaulding, Stacy. “Lisa Sergio’s when they see images of strong male parties and leaders, men and Column of the Air: An Examination expectations, are more likely to feel women who were in charge of the Gendered History of Radio.” the need to be strong – emotionally of television, at different times American Journalism. and physically. In Italy, the media has and in both private and public http://www.californiahistoricalradio. many of the same effects. Although television, were able to play a com their media is severely corrupt – and relatively autonomous role and controlled mainly by governmen- to make television work quite tal figures who are corrupt1 – the well on a daily basis.”3 pressures from the media are still present. One of the reasons that Because American culture has only Websites worth Italian culture has stayed intact so been widely introduced to most Ital- looking into! long without becoming globalized is ians recently, there is a huge trend because of the fascist rulings of the of American pop culture imitation. A 1920s that prevented more than a small example that is present in most http://www.wikinews.org/ small percentage of non-Italian films cities is the trend of drinking Coca- from infiltrating Italian cinemas. Al- Cola. Italians love to drink Coca-Cola http://www.wowwomen. though Italian cinema does not hold because it is such an American thing com/tapestry/guidelines. the same grandeur as America’s Hol- (although Italians are only ever likely html lywood, the Cinecitta (Cinema City) to be seen drinking traditional Coca- of Italy held its ground for years when Cola; they have not caught on yet proper funding was provided and to the popularity of diet soda and http://www.jaws.org/blogroll/ when cinematic schools were highly brands of soda that are not Coca- howto.html esteemed. The Italian government Cola). Although this trend may have has also (and still does) prevented come from stereotypes and hearsay http://northxeast.com/ many non-governmental radio sta- about Americans, American media tions and TV channels from gaining that has been dubbed in Italian was general/nxe’s-fifty- 2 long-held success. likely to have an influence on the most-influential-female- infiltration of Coca-Cola into Italian bloggers/#more-204 With the presence of cable television society. Just as soda has made its
1 Stille, Alexander. “Silvio’s Shadow” Columbia way into the list of acceptable Ital- www.publishaletter.com Journalism Review. New York: Columbia Universi- ian beverages, belief systems and ty’s Graduate School of Journalism, September 2006. trends of young Americans are also 2 Ortoleva, Peppino. “Geography of the Media since http://www.transom.org 1945.” Italian Cultural Studies. Ed. D. Forgacs and R. 3 Bechelloni, Giovanni. “Italy.” The Museum of Lumley. Oxford University Press, 1996. Broadcast Communications. 1990. WIFP 23 Media Consolidation infiltrating Italian culture. Italians counterpart who is designated to they have children, it is extremely always watch television – it is the dub over their voice for every film or taboo and unwelcome (specifically in most likely form of media that Ital- show that they star in that is brought smaller Italian cities) for a woman to ians will consume – and one of the over to Italy. For Italians, it would hold a career once she has had chil- most popular channels for younger be extremely difficult to now switch dren. Although it is never explicitly generations is Italia MTV. Both Ital- to subtitles instead of dubbing, and stated, there are extreme amounts of ian and American music videos are the individuals who dub for famous guilt that are placed on a mother who played on this channel, and both Ital- actors and actresses would lose their still works – because she is seen as ian and American shows are played respectable professions.4 placing her career before her chil- on this channel. One of the more dren. Despite this pressure for Italian talked-about American shows is “The This lack of exposure to non-Italian women to become mothers without Hills.” This show was inspired by languages in media prevents Ital- careers, younger Italian women are FOX’s “The OC” that was once one ians from being influenced by slang pressured to get out of their home of the most popular teen dramas that that is popularly used in American and succeed in the real world much America has ever seen. This new media. Although Italians may pick sooner than men are. show documents the professional up actions and characteristics of and social life of a young working popular American media that have Italian men are babied by most of woman named LC (Lauren Conrad). now become equally popular in Italy, their Italian mamas, and there is Even though Italia MTV does not play the language barrier is still prevalent, actually currently a cultural problem the latest episodes, re-runs from past and Italians will be very unlikely to in which Italian men are staying in seasons that have been dubbed in pick up American slang because it is their homes until their early to mid- Italian are extremely popular in Italy. not regularly heard in Italy with the 30s if not later. Although this may This show is not exactly a replica of exception of Americans who study seem skewed because in the family American culture, but Italians see it in Italy but who still speak English the woman is expected to do all of as such and are beginning to jump instead of Italian. The influences of the in-house work and the male is on the opportunity to lead a glamor- these Americans is generally seen expected to be the sole bread winner ous “American” lifestyle that is filled in larger Italian cities and does not despite the fact that younger women with partying, alcohol, casual sex, really affect Italians because these are more successful with their ca- failed relationships, and institutional- Americans are not likely to converse reers, this makes sense to Italians ized sexism. with Italians because they will tend because the women are really just to stick with other Americans or in training to be successful and Even though Italians are being ex- English-speaking foreigners who are forceful in their homes. The Italian posed to American-made media, studying in the same cities. father figure is the loving character they are not being exposed directly of the family, while the mother is the to American slang and language. Another aspect of traditional cultures strict rule-bearer. When given more There is a trend in Italy in which that affects both American and Italian household power over men, women non-Italian films are rarely subtitled trends is the ever-present existence are more likely to be more secure but more commonly dubbed over. of religion. Most Italians have been in their homes but not in the public When the government was visibly strongly affected by Christian tradi- arena or workplace.6 With a lack of in control of mass media, and was tions, expectations and ethics.5 Even older women in the workplace in preventing non-Italian influences if Italians are becoming less and Italy, there is an extreme deprivation from infiltrating the media, dubbing less likely to be avid churchgoers, of women in high authority positions became extremely popular and has traditional ideas of family, feminin- in the work world. Without truly being since held its position as the norm ity, gender roles, and monogamy given an opportunity by their bosses for non-Italian films and television are much more present in the daily and their communities to continue shows. This is one tradition that lives of Italians than in most lives of working once children have been has had staying power through Americans because of the perme- born, Italian women are fighting not the decades. It is normal for Italian ation of Catholicism in Italian culture. only for equality within the workplace television and cinemas to have only While American women are making but for the equality and opportunity Italian programs, even if the program progress in moving out of the house to work. is originally made in another lan- and into the workplace, even when guage. Dubbing is so prevalent that 4 Ortoleva, Peppino. famous actors and actresses who 5 Pratt, Jeff. “Catholic Culture.” Italian Cultural 6 Saraceno, Chiara. “The Italian Family from the Studies. Ed. D. Forgacs and R. Lumley. Oxford 1960s to the Present.” Modern Italy, vol. 9, no. 1, are not Italian have their own Italian University Press, 1996. May 2004, 47-57. WIFP 24