Equality.

Continuing with the Leveson Inquiry

After presenting evidence at the Leveson Inquiry, OBJECT, along with the End Violence Against Women Coalition, Eaves and Equality Now, have been busy lobbying for a system which would see an end to the Page 3 portrayal of women in the press once and for all.

Read our submission here.

Read our witness statement here.

Read our letter to Lord Justice Leveson post the evidence hearing here.

Read our joint letter to the Independent here.

Read the Crown Prosecution Service reference to our evidence in piece about tackling rape culture here.

Next step will involve submitting evidence for the next module of the Inquiry on the portrayal of female politicians in the press.

Editor of the Sun made to defend Page 3:

As a result of our campaigning, the editor of The Sun, Dominic Mohan, was re-called by the Leveson Inquiry to respond to our critiques (see here from 177 mins). This marked the first time that The Sun had publically been required to defend Page 3 in this way.

Response from Murdoch: 'Ladies'

Unfortunately, the complete lack of understanding of the issues shown by Dominic Mohan was echoed by the letter we received from Rupert Murdoch himself in response to our request to meet - note his greeting to us as 'ladies'!

Next step - we'll bring our ptotest to Murdoch's door - watch this space!

Events on media sexism
We were delighted to take part in a panel discussion organised by Eaves to discuss how to ensure that the issues raised in our submissions are addressed in the much needed reform of the regulation of the press.

We were also privileged to speak on a panel at the Women in Film & TV screening of the powerful documentary Miss Representation which explores “how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence in America. We look forward to collaborations to make a much needed UK version. Watch this space!

More lobbying...
In our campaign to end the sexual objectification of women in the press, we have met with the Director of Standards at Ofcomand the Chair of the Press Complaints commission Lord Hunt, and we continue to lobby Number 10. We believe that an end to Page 3 is simple and achievable:

Sexually objectifying material is already restricted on broadcast media - you could not have 'Babe of the Week' on television. Therefore, in order to keep sexist Page 3 type images out of mainstream newspapers, similar restrictions should be applied to the press.

This must be done on the basis of equality, not 'taste or decency', with new provisions set out to enable readers to make complaints on the basis of how a group is stereotyped, degraded, or discriminated against in the media. Such guidelines would cover Page 3.

Now is our window of opportunity to stop the objectification, sexualisation and trivialisation of women in the press, take action to help make sure Leveson and the government take it!

Take Action on Media Sexism

Nowhere Free From Page 3:
We are told that newspapers are less intrusive than TV and that they therefore need less regulation. We want to know: How does Page 3 pervad your space? And what impact does this have?

Please send photos and anecdotes of where you see/have seen The Sun and Page 3 to ido@object.org.uk so we can map its presence and record its impact.

You can also use the #Page3Exposed hashtag on Twitter to share your experiences.

Write to Leveson:  
Submissions received by the Inquiry are recorded by topic. If you are concerned or angry about the portrayal of women and prejudiced reporting of violence against women, take a moment to email the Leveson Inquiry. This is crucial to demonstrate the level of public concern about media sexism.

Last month a whole group of 14 - 15 year olds did just that after looking at the links between objectification and violence at school - follow their lead!
 
Write to Lord Hunt:
Lord Hunt, the Chair of PCC, will be making proposals to Leveson about how to reform the regulation of the press. You can email Lord Hunt to put forward concerns and to ask him to ensure that any new regulatory system would address the portrayal of women as sex objects. This is important to ensure that the objectification of women is viewed as a form of discrimination and covered in the new code.
 
Sign this petition to end Page 3:
Sign this petition to end the sexual objectification of women in newspapers - and send it to all your contacts!

Write to your MP:
Email a copy of the Leveson submission to your MP and ask her/him to support the recommendations to tackle the Page 3 phenomenon in our press (please copy your correspondence and forward all replies to ido@object.org.uk).
 
Join our protest against Page 3!
Make your objections heard and join us in our protest against sexist Page 3! Email ido@object.org.ukfor more details.

Support OBJECT
The London Marathon                                                          
 
The countdown is on for OBJECT's runner Ifemu Omari to take on the challenge of the London Marathon in order to raise money for OBJECT. Ifemu says “I am thrilled to be running in support of OBJECT.  

I believe that the work they do is really important, and I am keen to raise as much money as I can. I would be glad of any extra support from other OBJECT members!”
 
How to support OBJECT’s runner
 
1) Sponsor Ifemu!
To sponsor Ifemu, please go to her fundraising page here– any amount, big or small, will really help. Ifemu reach her target, and all money raised will help OBJECT continue our campaigning.  
 
2) Join us at the marathon to help raise awareness and to cheer Ifemu on!
If you are in or near London, join OBJECT supporters to cheer Ifemu on along the Marathon route, and to help raise awareness at the same time.  The marathon promises to be a great, inspiring day and we would love to have as many OBJECT supporters there as possible.  Please contact run@object.org.ukfor more information.
 
For more information about raising funds for OBJECT, or if you are feeling inspired to run in next year's marathon, email membership@object.org.uk

Women's News

· Date for your diary – this year’s Regional Women’s Conference is on Saturday 29th September – venue to be decided.
· National Women’s conference – Are you going? Please make sure you come to the Regional meeting on Thursday at 6.10 (see News attached). A regional meal has been booked that evening too – so if you’ve booked either via Carol or at the Pre-conference training then you will get details of the restaurant at the regional meeting.
· International Women’s Day – March 8th. The Regional Women’s Committee have decided not to put on a separate regional event this year but want to encourage you all to consider celebrating women in some way on March 8th. In view of the huge economical impact on women, as a result of the so-called austerity measures, International Women’s Day presents a great opportunity for trade unions to raise the importance and strength of women – you could hold an event with a speakers and stalls (a mixture of serious and fun), or a lunchtime stall or a cuts lobby . The theme could be Women and Austerity. See other information in women’s news.
The Committee is also supporting Fair Play South West’s events on the 8th and 9th with the theme of “No Excuse for Abuse” read more .....

April's Pro-choice News
Upcoming protests, an invitation and lots of news!

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WRC enews February 2012

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