To: NOW Activists
From: Patricia Ireland, Kim Gandy, Elizabeth Toledo & Karen Johnson
Subject: Watch out, Listen Up!
Date: May 11, 2000
 

Watch Out, Listen Up!
Month of Action
 

The Watch Out, Listen Up! media activism campaign is moving into the most important phase. Now that our analysis of primetime TV is complete, it's time to take action. We are asking each chapter to organize an action in May to coincide with the spring ratings "sweeps" and the announcement of the Watch Out, Listen Up! findings. Our goal is to make our voices heard and pressure the television networks to create a more socially responsible and diverse U.S. media.
 

FEMINIST PRIMETIME REPORT
 

During the February sweeps month, teams of feminist analysts rated programs by documenting incidents of violence, gender composition/stereotypes, sexual exploitation and social responsibility. These teams viewed all seven nights of primetime television programming on the four major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC).

NOW is set to announce FOX as our Network of Shame and NBC as our Primetime Leader. Chapters may want to stage demonstrations outside their local FOX stations, throw house parties and start letter writing campaigns.

FOX got a big thumbs-down from NOW's media analysts. Programming that viewers found particularly offensive included Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire, FOX's JonBenet Ramsey movie and World's Wildest Police Videos. We are encouraging activists to organize demonstrations in front of their local FOX affiliates to protest the network's irresponsibility.

NBC was the big winner in the survey, scoring top marks for ER, The West Wing, Law & Order, Providence and Will & Grace. Activists may also want to send thanks to their local NBC station for their women-friendly programming. If there is not a FOX station near you, you may choose instead to publicly recognize your NBC affiliate.

We have included the full Feminist Primetime Report in this mailing. The report highlights which networks performed best and worst in each category and other findings about the portrayal of women on television and media responsibility. We will release these results at pickets and news conferences in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and cities around the country.

We want to thank all of the activists who have been monitoring programs for this project. The report would not have been possible without the commitment, support and hard work of monitors across the country. Thank you for a job well done.
 

CALL TO ACTION
 

We are asking activists to continue participating in this campaign by organizing Media Action Teams. These teams will continue to monitor programming, and will organize house parties and other actions to put public pressure on the networks. The teams can host house parties at which feminists can discuss the state of women in the media, write letters to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), TV stations and any other media outlets that need to act more responsibly (addresses available), rent woman-positive movies to enjoy together (while turning off offensive programming), and organize community actions.

We are asking you to begin organizing Watch Out, Listen Up! actions immediately. Please aim to have one house party or action in the month of May, to coincide with the television sweeps and the announcement of the Network of Shame. We know how the media love to cover themselves, so please make sure to inform your local press of any actions you plan. Send out a news release to all your local TV stations, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, call in to radio or TV talk shows, anything to get our message out.

To assist with your organizing efforts, we have enclosed a house party kit, a Watch Out, Listen Up! petition and a list of suggested actions and chants. If your chapter or state plans an action or house party, please call Lisa Bennett (ext. 123) to let us know so we can include your event in our media materials. Also, feel free to give Lisa a call if you have any questions about this campaign.

We are confident that with your ongoing support the Watch Out, Listen Up! campaign is going to be a great success. Thanks for all of your hard work.