NYT FALSIFIES THE TRUTH ABOUT DV

[Brent]

From S. A. Green

NYT FALSIFIES THE TRUTH ABOUT DV

When it comes to committing domestic violence, women are fully the
equal of men. Scores of research studies in the United States and
elsewhere show that women are just as likely as men to engage in
partner aggression. And fully 38% of persons who suffer injuries
from domestic violence are male.
[//www.mediaradar.org/media_fact_sheet.php]

But the New York Times consistently portrays the domestic violence
issue as men who beat up their wives and girlfriends. That depiction
is scurrilous and false.

On April 6, 2005 the Times published the article, "Sweden Boldly
Exposes a Secret Side of Women's Lives."
[//www.nytimes.com/2005/04/06/international/europe/06letter.html?
pagewanted=2&8hpib] Most disturbing was this description of domestic
abusers: "It's not alcoholics and drug users...It's every man and in
every class of society." Every man? In every class of society? But
not women?

The article did not provide a shred of evidence to support such a
sweeping statement, nor did NYT reporter Lizette Alvarez dispute
that hateful allegation.

In response to this statement, RADAR – a coalition of men and women
who are working for balanced media coverage of domestic violence –
issued an Alert on April 10. The Alert called upon persons to
contact public editor Daniel Okrent, requesting the Times to retract
this ideologically-slanted article.
[//www.mediaradar.org/alert_nyt.php]

Hundreds of e-mails, letters, and telephone calls went out to the
Times. But Mr. Okrent did not respond. Publishing a one-sided and
libelous article, and then refusing to respond to persons' concerns,
is an example of media arrogance.

Beginning April 18, RADAR will go to Phase II of its effort to stop
the falsification of truth about domestic violence at the Times.

Phase II:
April 18-22: Concerned persons will contact all the editors at the
New York Times, requesting a retraction of the Alvarez article, and
asking the editors to assure objectivity and balance in future
coverage of domestic violence.

Phase III:
On-going: Request columnists to write articles on bias at the New
York Times

Phase IV
April 30: Protest at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner at
the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC
20009. 4:00 – 8:00pm.
Persons are encouraged to wear T-shirts with an appropriate domestic
violence message and to carry a sign.

More information about this campaign will be posted at
//www.mediaradar.org