Offender: Meredith Vieira and Andrea Mitchell on the Today Show

Media Outlet: NBC, airing on 8/11 and 8/12/09

Offense: Two mornings in a row the Today show focused on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's feisty response to a question about President Obama that reportedly was mis-translated into an inquiry about her husband's opinion on a policy matter. Anchor Meredith Vieira claimed that "some" were speculating that Clinton was either jetlagged or "jealous" of her husband, while correspondent Andrea Mitchell added that Clinton was "having a bad hair day."

NOW's Analysis: Ok, so we gave the guys at The Washington Post a hard time for their stupid beer video. Which means the folks at the Today show really deserve to be called out for their coverage of Hillary Clinton's recent trip to Africa. Rather than focus on the serious issues that Clinton was addressing on her trip -- including the use of rape as a weapon of war in Congo -- the Today show chose instead to concentrate on Clinton's response that she would be happy to speak for herself, thank you very much, because Bill Clinton isn't secretary of state.

Leave it to the mainstream media to emphasize this trivial drama and Clinton's hair over an important subject such as the ongoing epidemic of sexual violence against women in eastern Congo. Instead of doing their viewers a service by informing them about this critical issue, the powers that be at Today preferred to distract them with empty chatter.

The sad thing is, Andrea Mitchell even acknowledged that Clinton was going to be meeting with rape survivors later that day, and that she had already traveled to seven countries and given 22 speeches -- yet Mitchell just couldn't resist that "bad hair day" dig. Why exactly was it crucial to comment on Clinton's hair? We'd love to hear the reason. Vieira wrapped up the segment by saying that Clinton's response represented a "big bump in the road." Seriously?!

Plus, on the second day of trying to turn this misunderstanding into a political crisis, NBC's Ann Curry and Vieira admitted it was sad that the media were focusing on this angle of this story. Wait a minute . . . These women must have some decision-making clout at the Today show, right? Vieira is co-anchor and Curry's been there forever. They don't just do the segments the producers tell them to and read the words the writers draft, or do they? These women must have some power to help determine the news they report, and they should be capable of doing a far better job.

Take Action: Write to Meredith Vieira and urge her to cover some real news instead of jumping on any chance to bash Hillary. We've heard that other media, not surprisingly, also chose not to focus on the reason for Clinton's trip to Africa. Please write or call any media outlet you observe demonstrating sexism in its coverage of women while refusing to cover women's rights issues in depth. You can look up individual media contact info here. Finally, read about the crisis in Congo -- the story that many media outlets are ignoring in favor of meaningless "controversy" coverage.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, August 13, 2009

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Violence Against Women, Television, Media Hall of Shame

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 3.32/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: "Observe and Report" movie, written and directed by Jody Hill

Media Outlet: Warner Brothers, opened 4/10/09 in movie theatres nationwide

The Offense: The lead character in this "comedy" rapes the object of his obsession after she becomes so intoxicated that she vomits and passes out.

Here's the R-rated trailer (warning!)

NOW's Analysis: Date rape is no laughing matter. But Jody Hill and Warner Brothers apparently think so. Yes, the lead character of Ronnie is supposed to be mentally ill to the point of being deranged and violent. However, his infatuation with Brandi has the potential to make him sympathetic to every guy who has ever lusted after a woman "out of his league."

So, what are moviegoers to think when Ronnie takes advantage of Brandi after she has taken pills and thrown back numerous shots? Any rape counselor, and hopefully any law enforcement officer, would tell you that a real woman in Brandi's condition could not meaningfully consent to sex. But the writer conveniently put words in Brandi's mouth, in the middle of a passed out haze during which Ronnie is raping her, that urge him to continue. Brandi is barely aware of what is happening to her and a trail of vomit is visible on the pillow next to her slack mouth, but she has expressed that she wants sex, so all systems are go for Ronnie and laughter!

It is telling that the actor playing Ronnie, Seth Rogen, has referred to Brandi as being "unconscious" during the scene. Anna Faris, who plays Brandi, has called it "the date-rape scene" and expressed shock that the scene even made it into the movie, saying she thought it surely would be cut by a mainstream studio like Warner Brothers. The scene should have been cut. Heck, it never should have been filmed. It's actually quite simple -- the scene promotes and excuses sexual violence against women, and it degrades and exploits the actress in the role.

Take Action: Share your outrage with Warner Brothers!

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, April 10, 2009

More offenders in : Violence Against Women, Movies

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 4.34/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: Eminem, "We Made You" video

Media Outlet: Video released 4/7/09 by Shady/Interscope Records, produced by Dr. Dre

The Offense: Eminem's first video in almost five years features parodies of Gov. Sarah Palin, Ellen DeGeneres, Jessica Simpson and other well-known women. The video presents former vice presidential candidate Palin as a highly sexualized caricature. In one scene, Eminem is seen pushing a woman celebrity, head first, into a wood chipper.

NOW's Analysis: Rapper Eminem has never been a feminist favorite, what with the hostility he's expressed toward women (including his wife and mother) in his music. But this video is pretty much anti-woman from beginning to end. It ridicules a number of women for their weight, appearance and hunger for celebrity. The character based on Gov. Sarah Palin is so sexualized that she appears to have dropped in from a pornographic movie. It's almost impossible to imagine a male vice presidential candidate portrayed in such an insulting and exploitative manner. Eminem can't seem to resist violent imagery, so includes a scene with him pushing a character based on reality TV star Kim Karsdashian into a wood chipper. Money spits out of the woodchipper, as if to say that committing violence against women is a profitable gig. When big media conglomerates fund videos like this and eager media outlets air them, unfortunately it is. But it's time for it to end.

Take Action: Write to Universal Music Group (the parent company of Eminem's label) and tell them what you think: communications@umusic.com . If you see the video on any cable network, like MTV, write to them, too!

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, April 7, 2009

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Violence Against Women, Music / Music Videos

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 4.29/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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