Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Why Messages Matter

Messages matter. You already know that from our well-placed blog header. But now you're certain, because UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro is preaching the good word.

Migiro is calling on international media outlets to stop stereotyping gender roles, saying that sterotyping fosters gender discriminiation, which is "the root cause of violence against women and girls."

It's a tall order, and as Migiro points out, it's not something that legislation can necessarily fix. It'll take good faith effort on the news media's part, and a hell of a lot of watchdogging on ours. Thank goodness Shakesville and to a less-searchable extent, Media Matters and other online outlets already document sexism in news and advertising.

Check out Melissa McEwan's sexist advertising chronicles. While you're at Shakes Manor, see the Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin sexism watches.

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