Media Issue (C)

Hey Gorgeous! Are You Insulted?

source: policymic.com

Feminism sells! Women rights are now toyed as marketing ploys with mere concerns over discrimination and reproductive rights. Berating and objectifying ladies have passed its point where adverts are debating on feminism’s media participation with surprising enthusiasm.

I believe media needs a more holistic and integrative approach to acknowledge the diversity of women. Media coverage tends to un-gender and dehumanize Woman bodies, which are often reduced to essentialist binaries, particularly vis–à–vis the media. Silva & Mendes (2009, p. 244) posit that media establish a proverbial 'clash of civilization' with multicultural ignorance. Such representations are harmful to women who are positioned with resistance and empowerment. 

Contemporary women media activism is vulnerable to feminism-opposing methodology deeply rooted on criticisms of social sciences (Smith 1987; Vault 1996). Feminist media activism serve the purpose of not only the increase in women appearance in the media, but rather the significance and meaning delivered to women's media engagement. Sociopolitical transformation is deemed essential to manifest and to respect women's rights and their communication freedom (MiniÊ 2007, p. 285). 

Van Zoonen (1994) opines two feminist media framework - i) liberal feminist criticism towards media activism addresses stereotype and gender socialization issues; ii) radical feminist theory and activism examine pornography issues. In tandem, liberal and radical feminist approaches to communication construct socialist feminism - which accompanies women's media activism. The globalization, standardization, and networking of feminism marks the most significant change in media participation (MiniÊ 2007, p. 288). 

It is time to encourage balanced and diverse representation of women in the media; promoting awareness of gender discrimination and equality, as well as repressing sexist media contents and stereotypical representation of women. 

References

MiniÊ, D. 2007, 'Feminist media theory and activism: different worlds or possible cooperations', 20 Pieces of Encouragement for Awakening and Change, pp. 282 - 308.

Vault, D. M. 1996, 'Talking back to Sociology: Distinctive Contributions of Feminist Methodology', Annual Review of Sociology, vol. 22.

Silva, K. and Mendes, K. 2009, 'Commentary and criticism', Feminist Media Studies, Routledge, Taylor & Francis, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 243 - 262.

Smith, E. D. 1987, 'Women’s Perspective as a Radical Critique of Sociology', Feminism and
Methodology, Bloomington, Indiana University Press.

Zoonen, V. L. 1994, Feminist Media Studies, Routledge, London.