by Lisa Bennett-Haigney, NOW Publications Manager

March "Madness" or March "Unfairness”?

Studies confirm that in general media coverage for women's and girls' sports lags far behind coverage for men's and boys' sports. A 1997 study of several newspapers found that female athletic events received only 11 percent of sports coverage while men's sports received 82 percent (6 percent covered sports where both genders compete). Although there are more male sports teams and events, it is still the case that female events and teams are often given less coverage and lower priority than comparable events for men and boys.

The CBS television network is a major offender this spring. While this week begins the play and viewing of most of the men's NCAA basketball tournaments on CBS,  not one women's tournament will be shown on CBS or any other network station in most areas.  While ESPN will cover some of the women's "Sweet Sixteen" match-ups and the women's Final Four, it is estimated that approximately 50 million viewers in this country can't afford, don't have access to or choose not to have cable TV. Sunday night, March 12, CBS aired a show titled "NCAA Basketball Championship Selection Show."  The show made no mention of the women's competitions throughout the entire program.

What message do viewers receive when they turn on the TV? Even in the year 2000, when girls and women are participating and watching sports in record numbers, the networks and other news media still treat female athletes and their fans as second class. The airwaves may belong to the public, but so far there is no equity in the coverage of women's sports.  It is up to viewers toshow support for women's sports, and to voice our opinions about the unfair media coverage of women's sports events.

How does your local news stack up in reporting women's sports?  Contact your local TV stations, print or electronic media if you notice that the coverage of women's games is lacking.  Better yet, organize a group of people to make calls about a specific event or the issue in general; large numbers of complaints can actually change sports coverage. Contact CBS to register your opinion about their March "Madness" shame.  (by guest contributor Tamara Sobel)
 

This week's feminist media picks:

Movie: The Cider House Rules. Out of seemingly nowhere, The Cider House Rules grabbed a number of Oscar nominations, challenging the previous shoo-in for best picture, American Beauty.  If you haven't seen this film adaptation of John Irving's novel yet, do yourself a favor. It's a beautifully shot, directed and acted film.  And Irving wrote the screenplay himself, so there's not a wasted line.  But the subject matter is what makes the movie relevant and moving.  The Cider House Rules takes place, for the majority of the movie, in an orphanage (in 1943) where women come to give up their children, find children and terminate pregnancies. The issue of women making their own reproductive choices is handled well and the movie makes a strong—but not preachy—argument for legalized and accessible abortion.  Perhaps our legislators all need to see this movie.

TV Show:  The West Wing (NBC, Wednesday 9-10pm ET).  You only have to watch this show once or twice to get hooked.  Even people with no interest in the intricacies of politics soon find themselves rushing home to watch "The West Wing."  It's a wonder that this fairly liberal show made it to broadcast television, not to mention that it's become a modest hit.  Each week controversial issues are addressed, issues like the death penalty, lesbian and gay rights, abortion, flag burning.  The excellent writing never talks down to the viewer.  We have to keep up and catch on, but we're always rewarded with possibly the most intelligent and intriguing plots on TV right now.  Not that the show couldn't use some improvement—women and people of color are extremely outnumbered by white men (all of whom are fine actors).  Sadly, this may be an accurate reflection of the political scene. The one outstanding female character is C.J., the press secretary, and she never fails to be fascinating, smart and funny.  Marlee Matlin was recently added as a recurring character – a deaf political consultant who the President recommended should run for office herself.  If "The West Wing" keeps adding diverse people to the show, it  will certainly win even more kudos.

Radio Program/Web Site:  Grethe Cammermeyer on GAYBC Radio Network. Retired Colonel Grethe Cammermeyer is best known as a hero of lesbian and gay rights for her battle to stay in the military. Her struggle was the basis for the book and TV movie "Serving In Silence."  But Cammermeyer is also making her mark in Washington state politics.  And now, she's taking on today's important issues online live at www.gaybc.com every Saturday. Web radio is proving to be an exciting and effective way for progressive voices to reach the people. Cammermeyer is one of those voices.  If you haven't already set up your computer to listen to audio feeds, now is the time and GAYBC makes it relatively painless.