Offender: Reporter Laura Italiano and her editors

Media Outlet: New York Post

The Offense: In a July 2 cover story, the New York Post attempted to discredit the woman who was allegedly raped by Dominique Strauss-Kahn by labeling her a prostitute. The cover screams "DSK MAID A HOOKER" in huge type. Inside, writer Italiano provides very little beyond gossip, depending heavily on puns such as "big tips for extra turndown service" to convey this completely unsubstantiated accusation.

NOW's Analysis: Italiano jumps right into the piece, claiming that the 32-year-old mother and alleged rape survivor "wasn't just a girl working at a hotel -- she was a working girl."

Throughout the article, Italiano's harsh rhetoric and unsupported accusations portray the accuser as a "pathological liar and scam artist" willing to do anything for quick cash. Based on quotes from an unnamed source, the accuser supposedly had been "getting extraordinary tips . . . And it's not for bringing extra f--king towels." With no evidence, the reader is meant to align the accuser's income with prostition. After all, how else would this hotel maid be able to pay for her "hair braiding" and "salon expenses?"

The case for prostitution continues as Italiano's source speculates that the accuser's union "purposely assigned" her to such a high-class hotel because "it knew she would bring in big bucks." Recently, The Washington Post revealed that the union in question actually sent the New York Post a packet of documents on the accuser, including a copy of an employment application she filled out at the Sofitel, in which she listed the International Rescue Committee (not the union) as the source that referred her to the hotel.

There are countless problems with this article, two of which should greatly concern feminists. First, claiming (with no evidence and only one anonymous source) that an immigrant woman working as a hotel maid is actually a "hooker" is sexist, racist and classist, to say the least. Second, implicit in this accusation is that a prostitute cannot be raped, or that any claim she makes of being raped should not be taken seriously. Even the New York Post should be held to a standard that says promoting harmful stereotypes and demonstrating such blatant misogyny are unacceptable.

Take Action: The accuser is currently taking action by filing a libel suit against the New York Post for labeling her a prostitute. Take your own action by writing to the New York Post and giving them a piece of your mind.

Marisella Rodriguez, Communications Intern, July 13, 2011

More offenders in : Violence Against Women, Print Publications, Racism, Media Hall of Shame, Economic Injustice

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 2.14/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: Editor Tina Brown

Media Outlet: Newsweek magazine

The Offense: Newsweek Editor-In-Chief Tina Brown imagines what Princess Diana's life would have been like if she were alive today. This fantasy life includes several wealthy husbands, a popular Facebook page and botox injections. The magazine cover features a composite photo of an updated Diana walking with Kate Middleton.

NOW's Analysis: In an attempt to pay tribute to Princess Diana in celebration of what would have been her 50th birthday, Brown's imagination lingers on the typical subjects associated with women -- their appearance, sex appeal and relationship status. Emphasizing her "big blue eyes" and "radiant blondeness," Brown makes Princess Diana out to be a leading character in a romance novel rather than a leading figure in philanthropy. Brown even works in a reference to the "striding sexuality" of Diana's mother.

The first portion of Brown's cover story is dedicated to assuring readers that Diana would have used Botox, conjuring up her fashion preferences and envisioning a glamorized marital lifestyle, including two ex-husbands "on both sides of the Atlantic." From marriage to a "super-rich hedge fund guy" to succumbing to her "weakness for men in uniform," Brown's recreation of Diana's life is infected with a shallow, sexist point-of-view.

Instead of focusing on Diana's longtime charitable passions, Brown provides fictional insight into her struggles of sharing the limelight with Kate and possible competitiveness with other beautiful, high-profile women. Even when Brown does get around to speculating on Diana's prospects as a humanitarian leader, she can't resist suggesting that the Princess Diana Foundation would be funded by "a steady pipeline of adoring billionaire ex-boyfriends."

Perhaps the most despicable aspect of the publication's tribute is the digitally-aged cover image of Diana walking alongside the daughter-in-law she will never meet. It is sensational to imagine what Diana's life would be like today, complete with "10 million followers on Twitter," but it is truly perverse to digitally dress, enhance and groom an image of a deceased figure.

Cover picture aside, why is it that Tina Brown, an award-winning media icon, cannot move past the continuous practice of objectifying women? Especially with a woman as prominent, respected and accomplished in the international community as Princess Diana, one would assume there would be more to discuss than her body image and romantic romps. How does that saying go? Sex speaks louder than words…

Take Action: Tell Newsweek what you think about its "Diana at 50" cover story.

Marisella Rodriguez, Communications Intern, July 1, 2011

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Print Publications

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 2.14/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: Marc Ecko Enterprises

Media Outlet: GQ magazine's Oct 2010 issue and other publications; Marc Ecko Muse website

The Offense: Marc Ecko's "Cut and Sew" clothing line for men is promoted through the use of celebrity Lindsay Lohan, seen in provocative sketches and online fantasy scenarios.

NOW's Analysis: The print advertisement catches your attention with a realistic looking drawing of Lindsay Lohan pulling off her top while a man in a suit sits behind her holding a large bolt cutter tool. The purpose of the ad is to get you to go to the website, where you are greeted by another exploitative image of Lohan, this time wearing a ski mask and sitting on a stool with her legs spread open.

The basic concept of the website is that the male visitor should imagine himself in various scenarios where Lindsay Lohan serves as his "muse." These fantasy situations involve Lohan cutting off parts of her clothing, rolling around on a bed while "you" take pictures of her, and so on. (The actual clothing line is immaterial to these situations.)

Instructions on the website allow you to print out a "hologram glyph image" of Lohan that will "come to life" when a webcam is pointed at it. You are encouraged to "interact" with the image and record it for playback and sharing on the web. The site also includes behind the scenes video of the shooting of Lohan's "muse" images.

To say that this voyeuristic website is creepy is an understatement. This campaign is a striking example of what it means to sexually exploit, objectify and commodify women. That it incorporates the identity of a troubled young woman celebrity makes it even more sad.

Take Action: Contact Marc Ecko Enterprises and tell them what you think of the "Lindsay Lohan Muse" promotional campaign.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, October 20, 2010

More offenders in : Advertising, Objectification of Women, Print Publications, Internet

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 2.41/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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