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| Media Activist Tool Kit: Challenging Myths & Stereotypes in the News | |
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Available free
online from |
"Media have tremendous power in setting cultural guidelines and in shaping political discourse. It is essential that news media—along with other institutions—are challenged to be fair and accurate." Produced and distributed by Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), a national media watch group, this guide focuses on how activists can track and respond to bias in the news media. The first step, per the guide, is to identify and document bias in news coverage. The guide provides suggestions for how to document biased reporting of news and how to respond to specific types of bias. For example, the guide suggests that if you note a lack of diversity in news programs you should call or write the media every time you see an all-male or all-white panel of experts discussing issues that affect women or people of color and demand diversity. The guide then provides instructions on how to effectively communicate with journalists and gain increased media exposure by writing op-eds and letters to the editor, meeting with news management, organizing demonstrations, getting programs aired on cable access channels and public broadcasting stations, and organizing other newsworthy events. Brief how-to instructions are given for each suggested strategy. Additional community organizing tips include hosting a video house party to educate friends and neighbors about media bias or issue-specific information and creating a phone-tree for getting the word out when quick responses to media or local events are needed. The guide concludes with a resource section that includes listings of contact information for corporate media groups, national media outlets, independent/alternative media companies, media activism groups, and professional associations for journalists, a set of recommended readings, and titles of additional publications available from FAIR. Recommended for advocacy groups that are interested in learning how to track and respond to media coverage of domestic violence issues and stories.
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