FIU to host roundtable discussion on gender bias in the media

Award-winning journalist Helen Aguirre Ferré will moderate the conversation on Sept. 26 at the Frost Art Museum.

The FIU Women’s Studies Program and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) along with the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and the Sheppard Broad Lecture Series will hold a roundtable discussion on gender bias in the media on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Frost Art Museum.

Women leaders and media representatives will share with participants their perspectives and experiences in dealing with gender bias or stereotyping in the media, particularly political coverage in recent elections as well as engage in an open conversation regarding the problem of gender bias, consequences and solutions.

“We intend for the discussion to touch on the existence and pervasiveness of the problem of gender bias, particularly in political coverage and propose practical solutions for tackling, minimizing and eliminating the problem,” said Kelly S. Sciba, executive director of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. “In keeping with our mission, the Commission is compelled to take a public stand regarding the approach employed by some members of the media related to women, particularly in the political arena.”

“Having a free press is crucial for a democratic society. Institutions and publications that deliver the news must be free from governmental censorship and propaganda, but also as much as possible from cultural prejudice and ignorance,” added Laurie Shrage, director of the FIU Women’s Studies Program. “At the Roundtable, we will explore the ways that current news reporting about women creates uneven playing fields and is an obstacle to women’s full equality and participation in society.

Panelists will include Miriam Marquez, Miami Herald opinion page editor; Glenna Milberg, WLPG Channel 10 journalist; Florida Senator Nan Rich; Katy Sorenson, Miami-Dade County Commissioner; Florida Representative Anitere Flores; Former Representative Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall; Judith Stiehm, FIU political science professor and past provost; Jane Daughterty, associate professor in the FIU School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Ann Herberger, president of the Woods-Herberger Group. The event will be moderated by award-winning journalist Helen Aguirre Ferré.

The program, scheduled for 2 p.m., is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Laurie Shrage at 305-348-1295.