[NOW News] Tragedy, Hope and the Media's Abuse of Power

Support NOW's Work |	June 16, 2009	| Tell a Friend

TRAGEDY, HOPE AND THE MEDIA'S ABUSE OF POWER NOW President Kim Gandy writes in her biweekly Below the Belt column: "The news lately has been a roller coaster of extremes -- shifting between hope and injustice, success and tragedy, gain and loss. The only consistent aspect is the major role the media play in telling these stories, and the abuse of their power to shape the news." Read more VOTE, NOMINATE AND SHARE: NOW'S NEW MEDIA HALL OF SHAME NOW has re-launched its popular online Media Hall of Shame, to keep an eye on the mainstream media for instances of sexism, racism, sexual exploitation, violence against women and other offenses. Frequent posts will highlight the latest offenses, giving people a chance to rate them and urging activists to write to the media outlets to express their outrage. Visit the Media Hall of Shame or read our press release. NOW CALLS ON OBAMA TO WITHDRAW DOMA BRIEF AND RENOUNCE DISCRIMINATORY LAW "Neutrality is not what DOMA is about," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "This law flat-out favors one form of legal marriage over another. The Obama administration has no business treating a discriminatory law as neutral, and should instead be working with Congress to develop legislation repealing this harmful law. The Bush years are over -- we expect much better from our new president." Read more JOIN US AT THE CONFERENCE Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana, from June 19-21 for the 2009 National NOW Conference! If you didn't register online, you can still register on-site! Learn more about the conference. SUPPORT THE HEALTHY FAMILIES ACT We need your help to urge your Representative to become a co-sponsor -- if they have not already done so -- and to take leadership in moving this important bill to a floor vote. Working people need assurance that if they or a loved one becomes ill they will not lose their jobs and that a critically needed paycheck will be there when they most need it. Act NOW!		SIGN THE PLEDGE TO STOP CLINIC VIOLENCE AND PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS We are angered. We are saddened. And we will not be silenced. We must redouble our efforts to maintain safe and legal access to abortion and birth control. When you sign this pledge, you can choose to send a message to the government and urge them to treat the murder and intimidation of abortion providers as the domestic terrorism it is. Act NOW! NOW IDENTIFIES MURDER OF DR. GEORGE TILLER AS DOMESTIC TERRORISM NOW President Kim Gandy said, "Women across the country have lost a champion today. The cold-blooded murder of Dr. George Tiller is a stark reminder that women's bodies are still a battleground, and health care professionals are on the frontlines." Read more NOW MOURNS LOSS OF DR. TILLER AND KANSAS CLINIC "The loss of Dr. George Tiller is compounded by news that the clinic he ran, Women's Health Care Services, will permanently close. The fault for the closing of this clinic lies squarely with the anti-abortion movement, bent on denying women their reproductive rights," said NOW President Kim Gandy. Read more PAID PARENTAL LEAVE -- URGE YOUR SENATORS TO SUPPORT THIS FIRST STEP We did it! The House passed the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, and now it's on to the Senate. Ask your senators to support this first step toward universal paid leave. Act NOW! MORE RECOMMENDED READING: Dr. Tiller's Important Job Judith Warner, New York Times Op-Ed Where Will Women Go Now? Kate Harding, Salon The Waves Minority Judges Always Make Adam Liptak, The New York Times Spike in Murder-Suicides Raise 'Manhood' Issue Katherine van Wormer, Women's eNews Amber Waves of Blame Katha Pollitt, The Nation Read more at "NOW Read This"
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