College cosponsors Gender Bias in the Media Roundtable discussion

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is hosting a Gender Bias in the Media Roundtable discussion on August 31, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Ocora Room at Pugh Hall, Bob Graham Center for Public Service, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Representatives from women’s groups, academia, and media, will share with participants their perspectives and experiences in dealing with gender bias or stereotyping in the media, particularly political coverage. This event is cosponsored by the College of Journalism and Communications, the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research at the University of Florida.

Award-winning businesswoman and television host Ilene Silverman will serve as moderator of the event to include the following panelists: Jacki Levine, Gainesville Sun Managing Editor; Florida Representative Jennifer Carroll; Judge Simone Marstiller, First District Court of Appeal; Judge Wendy W. Berger, Seventh Judicial Circuit; Former Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, City of Gainesville; Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell; Dr. John Wright, Dean and Professor, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida; Cindy Graves, President, Florida Federated Republican Women; Lisa M. Hammond, Ph.D., the BHER Group; and Ann Herberger, President of the Woods-Herberger Group.

“We intend for the discussion to touch on the existence and pervasiveness of the problem of gender bias, particularly in political coverage and propose practical solutions for tackling, minimizing and eliminating the problem,” said Susanne Hebert., Chair of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. “In keeping with our mission, the Commission is compelled to take a public stand regarding the approach employed by some members of the media related to women, particularly in the political arena.”

Participants will discuss whether women have been portrayed with bias in the media and political coverage; the impact of such bias or misrepresentation on women; the need to initiate changes in various sectors (including roles that different parties could play); how to tackle the problem and at the same time uphold freedom of the press and expression, and allow sufficient room for creativity; and effective ways to promote gender awareness in the media.
The event is free and open to the public. Additional details will be available from the Commission website at http://www.fcsw.net. For more information contact the Commission office at 850-414-3300. College of Journalism and Communications contact: Ellen Nodine, 352-273-1657, enodine@jou.ufl.edu.

The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is a nonpartisan board, statutorily created in 1991 consisting of 22 appointed members, administratively housed in the Office of the Attorney General. The Commission is dedicated to empowering women in achieving their fullest potential, to eliminating barriers to that achievement, and to recognizing women’s accomplishments.

Posted: August 1, 2010
Category: College News