Offender: Bill O'Reilly on The O'Reilly Factor

Media Outlet: FOX News Network, aired 2/9/09

The Offense: Bill O'Reilly compares legendary journalist Helen Thomas to "the Wicked Witch of the East".

NOW's Analysis: O'Reilly's comment is not only sexist and ageist, it shows a lack of respect for a courageous and outspoken journalist who has covered ten U.S. presidents. Would O'Reilly use a similarly derogatory term about an older male journalist? We think not!

Take Action: Write to the Executive VP at Fox News and tell him what you think.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, February 9, 2009

More offenders in : Television, Sexist Piggery, Ageism

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 2.52/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: GoDaddy.com's "Shower" and "Baseball" ads featuring Danica Patrick

Media Outlet: Aired on NBC during the Super Bowl, 2/1/09, and on TV during subsequent sporting events, with unedited versions posted online

The Offense: One ad features three young men who are able to make Danica Patrick take a shower for their amusement while they watch it over the Internet. They are also able to add another woman to the scene -- a woman who works at their school and appears surprised to suddenly be in the shower. The other ad features a Congressional-like hearing on "enhancements" at the end of which a woman shows off her "enhanced" breasts.

Watch: Ads #41 and #45
Unedited versions available

NOW's Analysis: The first ad promotes the control of women and the use of them as objects for voyeuristic sexual gratification. The second ad promotes the pressure on women to live up to a certain beauty standard and the use of cosmetic surgery to achieve that goal. Many boys and girls, teens and young adults watch sporting events, and these ads send a dangerous message that women are sexual playthings whose dignity and individuality are secondary to the pursuit of male approval.

Take Action: Tell Jeff Zucker, president and CEO of NBC, what you think of GoDaddy's ads airing during NBC's sports programming.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, February 2, 2009

More offenders in : Advertising, Objectification of Women, Television, Internet

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 3.63/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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Offender: Brigid Schulte, "Fresh Look at Martha Washington, Less First Frump, More Foxy Lady"

Media Outlet: The Washington Post, ran on the front page on 2/2/09

The Offense: Writer Schulte describes the common image of Martha Washington as:

frumpy, dumpy, plump, old . . . fusty . . . withered . . . stodgy . . . mousy, fat . . . double-chinned Old Mother Hubbard . . . tired . . . dull homebody

and more.

NOW's Analysis: The article reinforces the message that a woman, no matter what her other qualities, must be "hot" and that her value is rooted in whether or not men are "sexually excited" by her. It is stunningly biased against women of a certain age and size. One of its main points appears to be assuring readers that this nation's "dashing and virile" first president did not marry an old lady for her money. Schulte helps to make an unmistakable link between the impression that George "loved her deeply and the assurance that Martha was "quite a beautiful woman in her younger years."

Take Action: Tell Michael Abramowitz, Washington Post National Editor, what you think about Schulte's article.

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, February 2, 2009

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Ageism, Print Publications

Rank this item with our Misogyny Meter: Currently 3.45/5 1 2 3 4 5 i

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