Subject: [fem-women2000 209] AWORC REPORT: Media Caucus Statement and Language
From: lalamaziwa <lalamaziwa@jca.apc.org>
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 17:20:44 +0900
Seq: 209



Forwarded by lalamaziwa <lalamaziwa@jca.apc.org>
---------------- Original message follows ----------------
 From: cheekay cinco <cheekay@isiswomen.org>
 Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 21:24:31 -0500
 Subject: AWORC REPORT: Media Caucus Statement and Language
--
The following are the Media Caucus Statement and Proposal Modifacations to
the Proposed Outcome Document.

==========

Media Caucus Statement

In the past five years, media, including new information communication
technologies, has taken on an even more prominent role in shaping public
opinion on issues of economy, trade, entertainment and education.  While some
aspects of this have had a positive impact, the commercial dimensions of media
are being globalised faster than the parallel principles of public service,
public protection and public access.  This development has further
marginalised women by widening the gap between those who have access to
information, are
able to participate and have input into the process and content, and those who
do not. 
 
It is with this deep concern that the Media Caucus calls on the 44th
Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Acting as the Preparatory
Committee to
the UN General Assembly Special Session in June 2000, to reaffirm their
commitment to the Women and Media Section (Section J) of the Beijing
Platform for Action.

==========

Media Caucus Proposal Modifications to the Proposed Outcome Document
(E/CN.6/2000/PC/L.1*)

Obstacles: Women are still not employed in sufficient numbers in key
decision-making positions to influence media policy, including the
allocation of broadcasting spectrum. Sexual harassment of women in the
media industry has
increased as more women enter the media industry at low ranking positions.
Negative images of women, stereotyped portrayals, and pornography have
increased in some places, and there is a lack of coordinated effort to improve
and change the status of women within the media and info-com industries. 
The field of information and communication technologies is based on male
norms and Western culture. Linguistic differences, structural gender gaps,
ethnic discrimination,
economic and ethical barriers, especially geographical isolation and possible
combinations of  these and other elements prevent some many women from using
the Internet. Despite the efforts of women's media and information networks
and other cooperative efforts, a severe lack of financial resources and
political
will has meant that the development of and access to internet
infrastructure and the airwaves is limited. Globalization and growing media
monopolies blur the lines
of public accountability, turning information and communication away from a
public focus towards the interests of transnational enterprise. Of serious
concern is the homogenizing effect of media globalization on language, culture
and societies.

IV  Measures, actions and initatives to overcome obstacles and to address new
challenges and trends in the full and accelerated implementation of the
Beijing
Declaration of the Platform for Action.

Actions to be taken at the national and international level

l.  implement media and advertising campaigns to promote the equality of girls
and boys, and of women and men in society. (Beijing Platform for Action Sec. J

243 (b) and 245 (c)

m. stimulate access to and strategic use of new and traditional information
technology to advance gender equality. (Beijing Platform for Action Sec. J 236
and 242 (d))

n. develop an ethical framework based on gender equality and human rights with
particular attention to eliminating negative stereotyping of women and girls,
and the commercialization of sex and violence against them. 

o. develop and promote self regulatory mechanisms based on the human rights
framework to oversee the portrayal of women and girls in communications media
and systems.

p. include women's right to communicate as a contribution to the present and
future stake of building democracies based on pluralism and cultures of peace.

q. convene a World Conference on Communication as a space where the
Community of
Nations, communications media and systems, and civil society will have the
opportunity to draw up an ethical framework for their global action, with the
equal and full participation of women.

r. reaffirm committment to full implementation of  Section J of the Beijing
PFA 





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