South African teenager Mokgadi “Caster” Semenya won the 800 metres race at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Berlin last week with what has been described as “a stunningly dominating run.” Unfortunately, her victorious debut in international sports has been clouded by controversy over her sexual identity. Many media reports on the issue reflect ignorance about the distinction between sex and gender.

Reposted from Viva la Feminista and Feministe
In the last six months or so, Chicago has had its fair share of townhalls and gatherings trying to figure out what the heck is happening with corporate media. What will happen when the newspapers finally fail? Will they? Where did the journalists go? After the first townhall, that […]

Earlier this week, the National Hispanic Media Coalition submitted the following letter to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, regarding the role of telecom in hate crimes. Women In Media & News, the media analysis, education and advocacy group that hosts this blog, was among the signers of the letter.
August 11, 2009
Mr. Lawrence Strickling
Assistant […]

By Guest Blogger Cara Lisa Berg Powers
I don’t care what Miley Cyrus’s parents think. But if you have “tween” daughters — or if you are a tween or teen girl — you probably should.

Not only did Monday night’s Teen Choice Awards feature Miley Cyrus atop an ice-cream cart in booty short and high heeled boots, […]

By Guest Blogger Tristin Aaron
One week ago today, journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling stepped back onto American soil after being detained in North Korea for over four months. Their safe return was covered widely in the American media, and rightfully so. Yet their reason for traveling to North Korea has been all but forgotten […]

It’s 2009 and a news headline reads: “Girls Encouraged to Enter Technology Field.”
At a time when technology seems to have taken over every aspect of the daily lives of many of today’s youth, why should this still be headline news? Many will be shocked to know that most 15 year old girls still don’t […]

Happy Friday everyone!
If you haven’t picked up the current issue of Ms. magazine you are missing out on a great article, summarized online, on mom blogs that includes me. And yes, that’s my mug on page 3 too. I’m so proud to have been included in the article because it sheds a rare light […]

By Guest Blogger Adele M. Stan, cross-posted with AlterNet.
In response to coverage of its “Mad Bitch” video by WIMN, TPM, AlterNet and others, WaPo has killed “Mouthpiece Theater.”
As reported here yesterday, the Women, Action and the Media (WAM!) community yesterday delivered a letter to Washington Post Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli (among the signers was […]

A health club in Collier County, PA this week was the site of yet another horrific mass shooting by yet another disaffected man armed with ammo and a deep hatred of women. The shooter specifically targeted women, reportedly firing 52 shots, killing three women and injuring nine more before committing suicide.
Today, the Associated Press’s […]

By Guest Blogger Clara Jeffery
I’ve never seen HBO’s Hung. Long hours, new baby, refusal to give Comcast one more dime of my money. But I’ve heard it’s good, one of those things that, like The Wire, or Mad Men, or Weeds, I’d have to content myself with getting to a season (or three) after everybody else, […]