WMC Demands Apology from O'Reilly for Helen Thomas Insult
We urge you to join The Women's Media Center in sending an official complaint to Fox News about Bill O'Reilly. His sexist and ageist comments about legendary reporter Helen Thomas require an apology.
On a recent show (February 9th, 2009) O'Reilly compared Ms. Thomas to "the Wicked Witch of the East" along with disparaging remarks about her appearance and age. Guest Bernard Goldberg added his own insult, and even Alan Colmes, while attempting to defend her, seemed to be having too much fun. This kind of verbal degradation in the guise of humor is unacceptable, and as Media Matters has documented, it's part of an on-going pattern where he's targeted Thomas.
It was an attack no woman deserves--including this accomplished, award winning journalist working in the White House press corps, where women are underrepresented. The Women's Media Center demonstrated in its Sexism Sells But We're Not Buying It viral campaign that sexist remarks went unchecked by networks during the primary season. Now, as then, the WMC demands accountability.
Legendary Helen Thomas Thanks You for Your 10,000 Emails On Her Behalf to Fox
The Women's Media Center spoke to Helen Thomas, and while fully supporting the idea of free speech, she asked us to pass along her deepest thanks for your over 10,000 emails (so far) sent to The O'Reilly Factor on her behalf. As many of you know, Courtney Martin was on the show lending her perspective as a young, woman journalist and member of our Progressive Women's Voices program. She did a terrific job. Thanks, Courtney!
The WMC demands that Bill O'Reilly apologize to Helen Thomas for his appalling attack on one of our most storied veteran journalists. The issue at hand is why woman journalists are diminished by personal appearance attacks such as being called "the wicked witch," especially someone with Thomas's stunning professional achievements. Invoking sexist cliches against Thomas affects all women, and is a primary reason that women are underrepresented in the media. The Women's Media Center demands an apology from Bill O'Reilly, and through our campaign, over 10,000 emails have already been sent to Fox demanding the same. Click here to add your voice to our campaign.
The Women's Media Center was founded in 2005 by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan and Gloria Steinem to make women more visible and powerful in the media. The WMC places female voices into the media, offers media training, and publishes original reports and commentaries as well as links to women columnists and bloggers, news organizations, and journalism sources on its Web site, www.womensmediacenter.com.
