Yesterday, on behalf of the Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls, commission co-chairs Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning Actor and Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and Deborah Taylor Tate, former FCC Commissioner, released the commission’s first report.
The Elements of Healthy Media will help define what comprises positive and healthy media – from onscreen images, to increased and diverse roles for women, to healthy and meaningful relationships. These definitions lay the groundwork for the commission’s final recommendations, scheduled for release this fall.
“We are proud to come together to release the Elements of Healthy Media to define what our Healthy MEdia Commission finds to be ‘positive and healthy’ portrayals of women and girls,” said Davis and Tate. “The Healthy MEdia Commission supports efforts to increase the number of female characters in the media and ensure that female roles, images, and portrayal are authentic, balanced and healthy. We thank our partners and commission members for helping to advance the national conversation about how to ensure we are creating a positive media environment for all our children.”
Today’s announcement event took place at the National Association of Broadcasters national convention in Las Vegas. Commissioner Tate and special guest, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn – the only female currently on the FCC – attended and gave remarks.
Recognizing the need for gender balance and positive portrayals of women and girls in the media, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), The Creative Coalition and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media joined forces to spearhead an industry-wide commitment to promote positive images of girls and women in the media. Today, the Healthy MEdia Commission: for Positive Images of Women and Girls has convened the first national dialogue on healthy images of women and girls in the media, gaining an industry-wide commitment to promote positive media images. The Healthy MEdia Commission consists of over 35 prominent members of media, academic, and youth serving communities. In addition, teen girls serve on a Youth Advisory Council to inform the work of the commission.
Using research from Girl Scouts of the USA, the American Psychological Association, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and the Media, and experts in the field of media and youth development – including the voices of girls themselves – the Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls today states that Elements of Healthy Media include:
- Healthy Body Images
- Active and Diverse Female Characters
- Equal and Healthy Relationships
- Increased roles for women and girls
The intent of these definitions is not to create a “one-size-fits-all” definition of healthy media or to create a grading system, but rather to provide examples and attributes of healthy media that can educate and inspire both creators and consumers.
