gender equity and media monitoring

university of st. michael’s collegeuniversity of toronto10 march 2017

brief outline

• who am I?

• a few theological catalysts for this work

• who is the WACC?

• what is the global media monitoring project?

• why does it matter?

• what can we learn from it?

my context here and in Minnesota

“In the digital world, transmitting information increasingly means making it known within a social network where knowledge is shared in the context of personal exchanges. The clear distinction between the producer and consumer of information is relativized and communication appears not only as an exchange of data, but also as a form of sharing. This dynamic has contributed to a new appreciation of communication itself, which is seen first of all as dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations.”

Pope Benedict

“While the speed with which the new technologies have evolved in terms of their efficiency and reliability is rightly a source of wonder, their popularity with users should not surprise us, as they respond to a fundamental desire of people to communicate and to relate to each other. This desire for communication and friendship is rooted in our very nature as human beings and cannot be adequately understood as a response to technical innovations. In the light of the biblical message, it should be seen primarily as a reflection of our participation in the communicative and unifying Love of God, who desires to make of all humanity one family. When we find ourselves drawn towards other people, when we want to know more about them and make ourselves known to them, we are responding to God’s call - a call that is imprinted in our nature as beings created in the image and likeness of God, the God of communication and communion.”

Pope Benedict

“For this to happen, we must first listen. Communicating means sharing, and sharing demands listening and acceptance. Listening is much more than simply hearing. Hearing is about receiving information, while listening is about communication, and calls for closeness. Listening allows us to get things right, and not simply to be passive onlookers, users or consumers. Listening also means being able to share questions and doubts, to journey side by side, to banish all claims to absolute power and to put our abilities and gifts at the service of the common good.”

Pope Francis

World Association for Christian Communication

“The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) is a non-governmental organisation that builds on communication rights in order to promote social justice. Today, we offer guidance and support to people of all faiths, ethnicities, and cultures worldwide.”

global media monitoring project is…

• run every five years by volunteers

• codes for basic overall representation (as experts and spokespersons, as news reporters and presenters, etc.)

• then codes in four categories: stereotypes which present women and men in blatantly sexist ways; subtle stereotypes which normalize constrictive gender roles (only presenting men as candidates, for instance, even when women are active candidates); gender blind stories (stories which could have been enriched by including more viewpoints); challenging gender roles in construct ways

• produces reports which are shared with policy makers and others involved with news media

why does this matter? (look at infographic)

what can you do?

try the quiz: http://whomakesthenews.org/advocacy/end-news-media-sexism-by-2020/quiz

ways to get involved…

• be intentional about sharing out in your own feeds positive images and news

• encourage people to challenge stereotypes in their feeds

• diversify your news sources to include media which proactively challenge stereotypes (look for long form journalism, seek out diverse sources, etc.)

• join the GMMP!

• become a media advocate: http://whomakesthenews.org/advocacy/media-advocacy-toolkit

citations:

Who makes the news?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT5dj-EdXKc

Pope Benedict, 45th World Communications Day message: http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20110124_45th-world-communications-day.html

Pope Benedict, 43rd World Communications Day message: http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090124_43rd-world-communications-day.html

Pope Francis, 50th World Communications Day message: https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20160124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html

WACC news quiz: http://whomakesthenews.org/advocacy/end-news-media-sexism-by-2020/quiz

Youtube Intl Women’s Day: https://youtu.be/bdX55I9WHDw

more info:

meh.religioused.org mhess@religioused.org