How should the media handle rape? TRAPE

Scan page 4

The rising tide of violence against women has brought with it a rising tide of reportage in the press and mass media - much of Many women are understandably angered by the coverage of rape and other male violence in the press: But there are also real problems which must be confronted by even the most enlightened For instance, rape is a major event: like any other serious crime it is — or ought to be — 'news', and as such ought to receive adequate attentions. A rapist on the streets is a menace to women in general: they should be warned of the danger.

But at the same time prominent reportage of rape in a particular area, or nation-wide, sensationalised coverage of crimes such as those of the 'Ripper', can create a climate of intimidation and fear amonst women, and intensify reactionary social pressures for women to remain 'safely' in the home (though in fact a large percentage of rapes actually take place in the victim's own homes, Another pröblem is that in exploiting the 'news' value, the sensationalism of a particular rape case, editorial staff (largely male) tend to emphasise more the sexually titillating and incidental aspects, and downplay the sheer horror, the violence and the injurie brutally inflicted upon the victim — which do not make such readily The issue of rape has been discussed from many angles by the women's movement; but there has been insufficient debate on rape reporting in the National Union of Journalists and other media A recent leaflet, produced jointly by Birmingham NUJ with The Birmingham Rape Crisis Centre, attempts to rectify this and open up discussion on the correct approach of individual journalists But it is plain that the leaflet leaves out any discussion of how the Union itself could take up the fight for the establishment of adequat standards, and against the trivialisation or exploitation of rape by news editors with a cynical view to boosting circulation figures.

What do readers think? To open up further discussion, we are reprinting below the text of the Birmingham leaflet, and invite THE workers at Thornton View hospital in Bradford tion is gathering strength in the build-up to the demonstration on September 10.

Thornton View's the first hospital of many in Yorkshire earmarked for closure. With the resistance to the closure growing daily, the lead given by the mainly women workers should provide a focus for everyone looking for a to the problem of rape reporting.

More sh Shop section ond to the Her Syle 7 really like she de letters or discussion articles. Malcolm Rape and the media If a woman is raped coming home from a party, we often

----- pull-quotes -----

are continuing to hit back at management, and the occupa-