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Representation in Media

Do media images and messages only reflect our world, or do they also help create it? Clearly, they do both. But many studies demonstrate that media messages do NOT reflect the world as it really is: There are far more people of color, disabled people, non-heterosexuals, seniors and poor people in the REAL world than we see on TV or in the movies. Media portrayals of women often leave much to be desired, especially advertising images of women.

Be sure to check out the best comprehensive resource we've seen so far on this issue, the outstanding University of Iowa, Department of Communication Studies website on Gender, Race and Ethnicity in Media, with separate pages of comprehensive links on topics including Advertising, African-American, Asian-American, Feminist Media, Latin American, LGBT, Native American and other Indigenous Peoples, and others categories related to media representation.

Organizations addressing Media Representation issues (see also Online Resources)

About-Face “combats negative and distorted images of women in the media , and promoted positive self-esteem in girls and women of all ages, sizes, races and backgrounds through a spirited approach to media education, outreach and activism.”

African American Women in Cinema   AAWiC's mission is to support minority women filmmakers by providing resources in the film industry. Their objective is to improve cultural understanding and overall social welfare through the promotion of diversity in all filmed content in both dramatic and documentary formats.

The Asian-American Justice Center's website has a section on Media Diversity, plus reports and publications.

Beauty Redefined is the outgrowth of the graduate studies of two Utah twin sisters. The excellent website has a wealth of resources on representations of female bodies in popular media.

The Center for Media, Culture and History at New York Univeristy is a collaborative project, drawing on faculty from the Africana Studies Program and the Departments of Anthropology, Cinema Studies, Comparative Literature, History, and Religious Studies. It addresses "issues of representation, social change, and identity construction embedded in the development of film, television, video and new media worldwide."

Center for Media Literacy This is a consulting business based on the former non-profit of the same name. The company's website still has the excellent CML Reading Room, with many excellent articles on issues related to stereotyping and representation .

The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media "works with entertainment creators and companies, educates the next generation of content-creators, and informs the public about the need to increase the number of girls and women in media aimed at kids and to reduce stereotyping of both males and females."

GLAAD: Fair, Accurate, and Inclusive Representation The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

International Women's Media Foundation The IWMF's mission is to strengthen the role of women in the news media around the world, based on the belief that no press is truly free unless women share an equal voice.

Media Education Foundation Outstanding, leading-edge video resources, primarily for older teens, college-age and adults, including titles on gender roles and sexism in the media, media portrayals of race, gender and sexual orientation, and much more. See their Links & Resources section for additional links related to media representation.

Mind on the Media works to raise public awareness about the negative effects of images in the media.  Their project “Turn Beauty Inside Out” Campaign works to foster participation, discussion and awareness of images of girls and women in the media. 

Muslims on Screen & Television is a resource service to help the entertainment industry present "multidimensional characters and stories that transcend stereotypes."

National Hispanic Media Coalition A "coalition of Hispanic-American organizations that have joined together to address a variety of media related issues that affect the Hispanic-American community across the nation."

Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) An association which aims to provide a forum for women in media professions to share information and resources, exchange ideas, promote media awareness and ethics, and work for gender equality and justice within the Indian media and society.

New York Women in Film and Television "NYWIFT is dedicated to helping women reach the highest level of achievement in television, film, and other moving-image media and promoting equity for women in these industries." NYWIFT brings together more than 1,500 professionals including EMMY and Academy Award® winners, who work in all areas of the entertainment industry. Part of a network of 40 international Women in Film chapters (see below).

UCLA's Center for Communications & Community has numerous reports and publications dealing with media and community issues, some of which address issues of representation. Excellent, but the overall approach is very broad and academic.

Women, Action & the Media is "an independent national nonprofit dedicated to building a robust, effective, inclusive movement for gender justice in media."

Women in Film WIF's purpose is to empower, promote, nurture, and mentor women in the industry through a network of contacts, events, and programs including the Women In Film Mentor Program, the award- winning Public Service Announcement Production Program, and the Internship Program in association with the Fulfillment Fund.

Women in the Director's Chair A Chicago-based, international media arts /activist center which exhibits, promotes, and educates about media made by women, girls and transgendered people that express a diversity of cultures, experiences, and issues.

Women Make Movies is a "multicultural, multiracial, non-profit media arts organization which facilitates the production, promotion, distribution and exhibition of independent films and videotapes by and about women. The organization provides services to both users and makers of film and video programs, with a special emphasis on supporting work by women of color."

Women’s Media Center, an outstanding site, "makes women visible and powerful in the media. The WMC works with the media to ensure that women’s stories are told and women’s voices are heard." Their "Sexy or Sexism?" Campaign, in conjunction with MissRepresentation.org, aims to "redefine sexy and identify sexism in popular culture."

Online resources addressing Media Representation issues

Adios Barbie! A Body Image Site for Every Body  Witty and sometimes biting commentary provide support for feeling OK about yourself just the way you are. Virtual bumper stickers for your website, games and other clever ways to learn about and speak out against impossible beauty stereotypes.

Greg Apodaca's Digital Archive is an online portfolio by a photographer showcasing his Photoshop retouching skills. If you're a teaching looking for quick-to-demonstrate examples of how a photo (of women and men, signs, scenes and more) can be manipulated to represent something other than reality, this is the place to go. You just roll-over with your mouse to see before-and-after examples.

Media Literacy Clearinghouse has links to teaching materials and activities related to stereotypes, gender issues and representations in the media. Click on Gender/Representation on the home page (yellow bar on left)

Miss Representation is a film released in February 2011 by writer/director Jennifer Siebel Newsom which "brings together some of America’s most influential women in politics, news, and entertainment....Miss Representation explores women’s under-representation in positions of power by challenging the limited and often disparaging portrayal of women in the media. ...Media is educating yet another generation that women’s primary value lies in their youth, beauty and sexuality—not in their capacity as leaders." The film is available for community screenings. Their "Sexy or Sexism?" Campaign aims to "redefine sexy and identify sexism in popular culture."

Muslims on Screen & Television is a resource service to help the entertainment industry present "multidimensional characters and stories that transcend stereotypes. "

New Moon An online community and print magazine where girls create and share poetry, artwork, videos, and more; chat together; and learn. All in a fully moderated, educational environment designed to build self-esteem and positive body image."

Racialicious is a " blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. Check out our daily updates on the latest celebrity gaffes, our no-holds-barred critique of questionable media representations, and of course, the inevitable Keanu Reeves newsflashes." Founded by Carmen Van Kerckhove, whose perspectives on race and racism have been featured in Newsweek, the New York Times, USA Today and other mainstream publications.

The "Sexy or Sexism?" Campaign, a project of Women’s Media Center and MissRepresentation.org, aims to "redefine sexy and identify sexism in popular culture." Participants can get connected to resources, help educate and raise awareness about sexism in television media, join other activists, organizers and thought leaders, and become a part of a national movement to hold the media accountable for the messages it sends about women and girls.

SheSource.org An online database of women experts on diverse topics for journalists, SheSource.org "closes the gender gap in news coverage by making it easy for journalists to connect with women experts to quote and voice their opinions on topics of interest. With a few quick clicks, journalists can find women experts in a variety of fields all across the country."

Women in Media & News (WIMN) "works to increase women's presence in the public debate, emphasizing those who are least often heard, including women of color, low-income women, lesbians, youth and older women. WIMN analyzes representations of women in media; trains women's and social justice groups to hold media outlets accountable to the public interest; advocates for policy reform and structural change; and works with journalists to broaden the quantity and diversity of women's voices appearing in the media."

Women's eNews covers "issues of particular concern to women and provides women's perspectives on public policy."