The Bob Graham Center for Public Service provides a wide variety of programs for students and the larger public on topics related to public service, public leadership and civic engagement.
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Words Matter! Gender Bias in the Media
August 31, 2010
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women hosted a Gender Bias in the Media Roundtable discussion 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, shared with participants their perspectives and experiences in dealing with gender bias or stereotyping in the media, particularly political coverage.
Award-winning businesswoman and television host Ilene Silverman served 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.
Participants discussed 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.