From: MediAction@aol.com Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 04:43:35 -0500 (EST) Subject: MEDIAlert! [B] - 03.1.97 ------------------------------------------------------------ INDEX: "MEDIAlert!" for 1 MARCH 97 [Part B] -ITEM 4: "National Nightmare" [National Enquirer; Cher; Elijah Blue; Dr. Anthony Pietropinto]. -ITEM 5: "Part Of An Unbalanced Breakfast?" [Nickelodeon; PM/General Foods; Post; Family Research Council; Kids' Bill of Rights]. -ITEM 6: "Cyber-Hate, Take Two" [S.F. Independent; MSNBC; Militia Watchdog]. -ITEM 7: "Rare Find" [Hide and Seek; Variety]. -ITEM 8: "Roadblocks On The Superhighway" [Markle Foundation; Motivations For and Barriers to Internet Usage]. -ITEM 9: "Web Watch" [FAIR Media Bias Detector; Gay Place Online Magazine; OG Magazine; GLOradio; Gaysport; CyberRights; TransParent; Demonstrator's Site; ACLU Freedom Network Web Page]. ------------------------------------------------------------ M E D I A l e r t ! / B R I E F S _____________________________ March 1-15, 1997 Al Kielwasser [4] *** NATIONAL NIGHTMARE . . . Given the medium's unique standard, tabloid coverage of queers has always been sensational -- but not always bad. Unfortunately, however, recent editions of the country's most popular weekly have only gone from bad to worse. Boasting the "largest circulation of any paper in America," the "National Enquirer" manages to defame gay youth, transvestites, rock musicians, and Cher -- all in one issue (Feb. 18). A two-page spread, headlined "Cher's Nightmare," the newspaper alleges that: "Cher's bad-boy son Elijah Blue has become a transvestite -- and he viciously broke his mother's heart by hissing 'Let's face it, I'm far prettier and more talented than you!'" Riddled with cliches, this article is the real "nightmare" -- a conflated blend of sensational references to "kinky sex," "gay lifestyles," "satanic rituals," "prostitutes," "makeup-and-lipstick-wearing transvestites," "porno queens," "useless drug addicts," "party animals," and (for good measure) "wild three-way scenes." Typical of this animus in prose, the "Enquirer" reports that another transvestite "led Elijah into experimenting with a gay lifestyle." Thereafter, the 20-year-old musician not only "immersed himself in cross-dressing, drugs and a gay lifestyle," but also "studied the occult" and "influenced other boys to wear lipstick and feminine clothing." The "Enquirer" portrays Cher as a "tortured mom," but never mentions her public acceptance of another queer child (lesbian daughter Chastity Bono). A side-bar to the article fares no better, offering "expert" advice from "Dr. Anthony Pietropinto, a New York psychiatrist who has treated many children." "Children often get back at their parents for real or imagined neglect by behaving in shocking and outrageous ways," Pietropinto says. "What better way to hurt a famous parent than by becoming a transvestite, a drug-taking rock-and-roller?" C o n t a c t : Malcolm Hayes, Managing Editor, "National Enquirer," Lantana, FL 33464, tel. 561-586-1111 (Florida) or 310-657-9872 (Los Angeles), e-mail letters@nationalenquirer.com; Dr. Anthony Pietropinto, 2 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10011-8835, tel. 212-674-6375. [5] *** PART OF AN UNBALANCED BREAKFAST? . . . The Family Research Council (FRC) and other fundamentalist groups have uncovered a "secret surprise in kids' cereal boxes . . . Liberal Ideas!" Specifically, the FRC has lambasted a cooperative effort by the Nickelodeon television network and Post cereals, which have produced a "Kids' Bill of Rights" -- a statement of basic rights, listed on a card, and inserted in boxes of Fruity Pebbles and Alpha Bits. According to spokespersons for the "Religious Right," this "prize" is loaded with seditious claims -- for example, the suggestion that "children have the right to have opinions and feelings even if others do not agree with them" ("AFA Journal," March 1997). Robert Knight, director of cultural studies for the FRC, warns that "such ideas have the effect of driving a wedge between children and parents." C o n t a c t : PM/General Foods (makers of Post cereals), 120 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, tel. 212-878-2165 or 800-343-0975; Nickelodeon, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036; Family Research Council, 801 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, tel. 800-225-4008. [6] *** RARE FIND . . . Critics have hailed Helmer Su Friedrich's new film -- "Hide and Seek" -- as an effective challenge to "the notion that there is such a thing as a 'typical' or 'normal' childhood." According to "Variety" (Feb. 18), this work is "a provocative, often entertaining documentary about lesbian childhood, which weaves archival scientific footage and sex-education films with real growing-up tales." At the center of attention is "Lou, a 12-year-old girl growing up in the 1960s," and the film specifically explores "early feelings of desire, as they are repressed and molded by society's mass media, educational institutions and the family." "Hide and Seek" breaks new thematic ground, "Variety" concludes, "But its specialized goal makes it a likely candidate for PBS and other venues for nonfiction fare, after traveling the gay and lesbian festivals." C o n t a c t : "Daily Variety," 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, tel. 213-857-6600, fax 213-857-0742; "Hide and Seek" is an ITVS (Independent Television Service) production. [7] *** CYBER-HATE, TAKE TWO . . . In the wake of domestic terrorism, the mainstream media have provided a virtual "rash" of stories about hate groups and the Internet. Two recent examples not only provide a case in point, but offer a contrast in the "sins of omission" as well. "The Independent" (March 1) featured a cover story on the subject, written by Kristen Reyes and headlined: "Hate Groups Having A Field Day On The Internet." Citing a recent audit conducted by the Anti-Defamation League, Reyes reports that -- over the past year -- "anti-Semitic and other hate groups increased their audience with the help of modern technology." Amongst the "other groups," however, homophobes are not considered -- or even mentioned -- by Reyes. The ONLY somewhat-inclusive reference occurs in a vague observation that, "amid the torrent of information on the Internet, there is a disturbing stream of hate-filled messages directed against religious, racial, and cultural minorities." Not ONE example of homophobia is given; not ONE lesbian or gay spokesperson is quoted. Such omission is all-the-more-glaring in a San Francisco-based newspaper. By way of contrast, a national news network -- MSNBC -- also ran a recent feature on cyber-hate ("Militants Link Up To The Internet," Feb. 28). MSNBC's story -- reported by Alan Boyle -- was inclusive from the start. In his lead, Boyle notes: "Anti-abortion... anti-gay... anti-government... the mix of volatile ideologies can touch off explosions like those that rocked an abortion clinic and a bar catering to gays in Atlanta. And the Internet serves as one of the tools for blending tracts and tactics." Boyle's coverage is also more-comprehensive, giving attention to a possible tendency to overestimate the extent of cyber-hate. As Mark Pitcavage of "The Militia Watchdog" suggests, your run-of-the-mill right-wing extremists "tend not to be computer-literate" (they're stupid). Organized hate-mongers are another story, however. For these groups, Boyle suggest, the Internet CAN work effectively, in at least two important ways. First, "The Net can draw together like-minded people in a 'virtual community' even if they're widely separated in geographical terms." Second, "A small group can make a big impression at little cost by using the Internet to distribute its literature." Interestingly, the technological benefits to homophobes accrue equally (and perhaps even more) to homosexuals. The perils of the Net are also its promise. C o n t a c t : "San Francisco Independent," 1201 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124, tel. 415-826-1100, fax 415-826-5371; MSNBC, 2200 Flethcher Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, e-mail opinion@msnbc.com, http://www.msnbc.com; "Militia Watchdog," http://www.militia-watchdog.org. [8] *** ROADBLOCKS ON THE SUPERHIGHWAY . . . The Markle Foundation recently commissioned a study of Internet access, and preliminary results suggest some disturbing -- if not unexpected -- trends. The "information superhighway" appears decidedly LESS-accessible to women, minorities and the poor. In this new survey, authored by Dr. James Katz, disproportionate numbers of African American and Latino respondents reported "not being aware of the Internet." In addition, this group was more likely to be female (64% of those who reported being unaware of the Internet were women) and less well off (58% had a household income below $25,000). According to Lloyd Morrisett, president of the Markle Foundation, "The success of the World Wide Web, which barely existed four years ago, is raising important questions as to whether a 'digital divide' is opening up in our country." "While the Internet is rapidly evolving into a mainstream element of our society," says Morrisett, "a central question of social equity remains." C o n t a c t : For a complimentary copy of the new survey -- "Motivations For and Barriers to Internet Usage" -- call Erik Brand, at the International Advisory Council, tel. 212-226-0898. For information on other related Markle Foundation projects, visit the organization's website, http://www. markle.org, or e-mail the foundation at info@markle.org. [9] W E B W A T C H . . . ** DETECTIVE PERCEPTION . . . "Broadcasting unchallenged 'official' or 'expert' information -- often without identifying the source behind the story -- is one of network news' most blatant examples of bias." This and other tips can be found in the "FAIR Media Bias Detector," which includes a do-it-yourself "Media Bias Scorecard" for rating the news [http://www.igc.org/fair/media-bias-detector.html]. This online "Detector" has been adapted from the book "Unreliable Sources: A Guide to Detecting Bias in News Media," written by FAIR's Martin Lee and Norman Solomon. The Fairness & Accuracy In Media (FAIR) web site features various resources [http://www.igc.org/fair/]; of particular use to "armchair activists" is a handy "Media Contact List," which provides current addresses and other contact information for major newspapers, TV stations, magazines, and other news outlets. ** RE: PLACE . . . A relatively recent strand on the world wide web, "Gay Place Online Magazine" offers national and international news for the gay and lesbian communities [http://gayplace.com/]. Issue #2 includes a variety of action alerts and news features, as well as humor, fiction and poetry. ** QUEER/ASIAN . . . "OG Magazine" promises its readers "interesting and exciting articles and features about gay Asians living in Asia and the West" -- along with "sensual pictorial spreads" [http://www.ogusa.com]; current features include reports on "Gay Asian Literature" and "Internet Censorship from Singapore." First published in 1987 -- with a printing of only 1000 copies -- "OG's" quarterly circulation now hovers at 12,000 and the magazine is distributed in "gay and gay-themed bookshops" throughout North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. ** RADIO ACTIVE 'GLO' . . . Newly launched "GLOradio" claims to be "the first broadcasting company dedicated specifically to global programming for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community" [http://www.gloradio.com]. The website's programming "went live" on March 3 -- "an exciting day for the global GLBT Community," according to John McMullen, GLOradio's president and CEO. "We have built a great team of people whose talents range from grassroots community activism to 20 years in broadcasting," said McMullen. "Together, we have a profound sense of pride in bringing quality news and entertainment shows to people in every country where there is Net access, every single day." RealAudio Player software, which can be downloaded free of charge [http://www.real.com], is needed for listening to live or archived broadcasts. Eventually, GLOradio plans to expand its distribution to "traditional radio stations for even greater accessibility." ** ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS . . . For the latest happenings in the world of gay and lesbian sports, check out the "Gaysport" news site [http://www.gaysport.org/news/]. According to Gaysport's web editor, this recently added service is enhanced by the work of "correspondents from all over the globe." ** CYBER-RIGHTS BILLING . . . "CyberRights," a meeting on new media technologies and the First Amendment, is scheduled for March 20-21 at American University in Washington, DC. Sponsored by The First Amendment Congress (a non-profit coalition of 20 national media and communications organizations) the conference will address such wide-ranging themes as "access, accountability, privacy, minors and cybermedia, the role of government, and political/social issues." For online details, a conference website has been set up [http://www.oklahoman.net/connections/congress]. Additional information is also available by contacting: Julie Lucas, Executive Director, tel. 303-871-4430, e-mail jlucas@du.edu. ** TRANS-MISSIONS . . . The first issue of "TransParent" newsletter is now available on the web [http://www.critpath.org/pflag-talk/transparent.htm]. Current articles include "How Did I Start Out With A Melancholy Catholic Daughter and End Up With A Contented Jewish Son?," "Life Is More Fun Married To A Transsexual," and "Getting Support From The Net/Giving Support On The Ground." ** DEMO DOINGS . . . The "Demonstrator's Site" is a unique resource for those who "take it to the streets" [http://www.masdef.org]. A project of the National Lawyer's Guild, this site offers essential information for demonstrative activists: news (reports from and on various demonstrations), notices (announcements of upcoming demonstrations), and references (including a "Demonstrator's Manual"). ** CIVIL SITE . . . Civil rights defenders can browse current news bulletins and action alerts at the "ACLU Freedom Network Web Page" [http://www.aclu.org]; the American Civil Liberties Union also maintains an "ACLU Action List," which distributes regular alerts by e-mail (to subscribe to this service, simply send e-mail to majordomo@aclu.org with "subscribe action" in the body of the message). [End of Part B; Part A posted separately] ---------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT MEDIALERTS Distributed as a community press service since 1992, "MEDIAlert!" [TM] is a biweekly, advocacy-oriented column of media criticism, primarily focused on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender issues. Recipients may print, publish or post this material, in whole or part, under this or any title, without prior permission. When appropriate, attribution can be made to "Al Kielwasser" and/or "MEDIAlert!" File copies of publications using all or part of any "MEDIAlert!" are always appreciated. Next "MEDIAlert!" = March 16, 1997. Contact: A. P. Kielwasser, MEDIAction, 163 Park Street, San Francisco, CA 94110-5835, voice-mail/fax 415-826-5203, e-mail mediaction@aol.com. ---------------------------------------------------------- AUTHOR NOTES Al Kielwasser is the editor of "Gay People, Sex and the Media" (New York: Haworth Press). His media criticism and research have appeared widely, in both mainstream and academic publications (including the "Journal of American Culture," "Journal of Homosexuality," "Journal of Popular Culture," and "Critical Studies in Mass Communication"); he was twice elected Chair of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/San Francisco Bay Area.