Media Watch
Organization profile published 1982

Year Published:  1982
Resource Type:  Organization
Cx Number:  CX2467

Media Watch, a sub-committee of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, is acting to combat sexism in TV, radio and print.

Abstract: 
This abstract was published in Connexions Digest in 1982 and 1983:

Media Watch, a sub-committee of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women, is acting to combat sexism in TV, radio and print. Individuals upset by "insulting, inaccurate and stereotypical" portrayals of women in advertising and programs, who may have thought their protests would be ineffective, can now join forces with Media Watch to press for change at both local and national levels.

Media Watch will supply forms for sending complaints to the guilty organization's head office, to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and to Media Watch who will keep records of all complaints. This will help the committee monitor the effectiveness of the self-regulatory guidelines under which the media industry will be operating for the next two years.

Media Watch intends to warn local women's organizations of any upcoming CRTC license renewal hearings for radio and TV stations in their areas. This will enable women to monitor a station's programming for sexist content and prepare a brief where warranted.

The committee is also pressing for use of more female commentators and specialists in news and public affairs programs, and for better and more coverage of women's issues. It is particularly concerned about the advent of pay TV, and has suggested that the CRTC draw up licensing regulations which would eliminate sexist, exploitative use.