Appalling Examples of Sexism in the Media

Former Today Show host Katie Couric made headlines when she became an anchor for the CBS Evening News. Entering a world of network news dominated by generally older, white men, Couric has often gotten flak for making fashion faux pas or showing off her legs.

She has publicly stated concern over possibly helping set a standard for how female anchors should look. “I sometimes worry that I started this thing, with my legs and everything,” Couric says in the film. She adds later, “I think it’s really hard for women today.” 

Photo: Joe Kohen/WireImage 

As a particularly powerful female politician, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arguably faced the worst media criticism of any woman in public office. During the 2008 presidential campaign, hecklers followed her to campaign stops, shouting comments such as, “Iron my shirt!” It didn’t stop there. Detractors called her a bitch and questioned her job credentials.

In one clip from the film, Fox political commentator Bill O’Reilly says, “You get a woman in the Oval Office …what’s the downside?” Adds another man, “You mean, besides the PMS and the mood swings?”

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Maria Bartiromo, a well-established business news anchor, is part of two shows on CNBC. She is known for being the first reporter to broadcast live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Despite her accomplishments, the journalist was given the nickname “The Money Honey,” which she at first planned to monetize, but later soured on as sexist. The nickname still shows up in media coverage of her.  

Photo: NY Daily News/Getty Images

Countless actresses have been told they’re not quite good enough the way they are—and we’re not talking about changing appearances to fit a role. In Miss Representation, Daphne Zuniga, (Melrose Place, One Tree Hill) tells of how her agent instructed her to get Botox injections before an upcoming role. “I remember lying in this chair and this fat bald man (was) injecting needles into my forehead, (and I was) bleeding and crying …I remember just thinking, ‘There’s something wrong here.’ ” 

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