Offender: Law & Order episode "Dignity"

Media Outlet: Aired 10/23/09 on NBC

Offense: Law & Order presented a physician who performs abortions as a murderer and advanced anti-reproductive rights propaganda.

NOW's Analysis: Law & Order loves to do "ripped from the headlines" stories, and this episode was clearly based on the recent assassination of Dr. George Tiller. The show outrageously implied that physicians like Dr. Tiller may be culpable in their own murders because they themselves are baby killers. The episode might have been titled "Dignity," but it did little to acknowledge the dignity of women and the service providers who risk their lives to provide safe and legal abortions.

The episode was loaded with anti-abortion sentiment and propaganda. Several of the supposedly pro-choice characters on the show were guilted into questioning their values. The plotline that included the doctor killing a baby after birth was purposely inflammatory -- an assault on Dr. Tiller's memory and quite possibly a provocation to zealots who need little encouragement to view all abortion providers as murderers.

You only need look at the comments on the NBC website to see that Law & Order hit the mark with the anti-choice crowd.

Take Action: Tell NBC what you think about the "Dignity" episode of Law & Order.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, October 27, 2009

More offenders in : Television, Reproductive Rights, Media Hall of Shame

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 3.12/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: Glenn Beck on The Glenn Beck Program

Media Outlet: Aired on radio stations nationwide 10/8/09 - syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications

The Offense: On his radio show, Glenn Beck had this to say about former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: "Good heavens! I'm sorry I just looked up at Madeleine Albright and she's . . . [screaming and laughter] No, normally it burns our eyes out . . . and look at the neck skin on her . . . does she kind of look like a turkey? . . . look at her eyes and her nose. She looks like a turkey."

NOW's Analysis: No matter how accomplished a woman may be, she is always subject to ridicule, particularly where her appearance is concerned. Men can get as old and ugly and heavy as they want, but women are supposed to be sexually appealing at all times and at every age -- otherwise, watch out! Like Hillary Clinton, who Beck called a "stereotypical bitch," and Sonia Sotomayor, who he referred to as "Hispanic chick lady," it appears that Albright should not expect the same level of respect that men in those same positions are routinely granted. And that's just wrong.

The added irony here is that Glenn Beck recently bragged that more women were calling into his radio show and showing up at his book signings. He's been doing shows with moms because he claims that "it's the women, the moms, that I think truly have an idea of what's going on" in the U.S. Of course, Beck knows better than to insult these mothers and grandmothers with jabs at their appearance. But the fact is that he insults all women when he belittles Clinton, Sotomayor and Albright.

Take Action: Tell Kraig T. Kitchin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, what you think about Glenn Beck's sexist, ageist comments.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, October 12, 2009

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Ageism, Radio, Media Hall of Shame

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 3.38/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: Huffington Post

Media Outlet: Huffington Post website

The Offense: Who Has the Best Chest in Hollywood? (Photos, Poll), posted 9/26/09

NOW's Analysis: The Huffington Post exposes its tabloid side in this cheesy and insulting poll. Readers are invited to look at photos of women celebrities in which their breasts are prominently featured and then rate them on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is "gross" and 10 is "gorgeous" -- seriously, this is not a joke.

Yes, the Internet is full of this kind of exploitative, sexist junk, but shouldn't we expect better from the Huffington Post? The website links to a previous contest where readers voted on men's chests, but that's just a little different, don't you think? Women are constantly judged and rated on their physical assets and sex appeal, and the Huffington Post really doesn't need to be in the business of encouraging this practice. Not to mention, how old was the grade school boy who devised the rating scale? The use of the word "gross" is so degrading and juvenile that the folks at Huffington Post should be embarassed.

Take Action: Write to Huffington Post and tell them to stop exploiting women. You can also post a comment under the story itself (but you have to have an account).

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, September 28, 2009

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Sexist Piggery, Internet, Media Hall of Shame

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 3.08/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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