"A close-up on the Media through Gender Perspective" Forum

The Women's Commission held a forum "A Close-up on the Media through Gender Perspective" on 6 December 2003.  Representatives from women's groups, academia, media, the Equal Opportunities Commission and Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority shared with participants their perspective, experience in dealing with gender bias or stereotyping in the media and advertisements.

The forum, facilitated by Professor Fanny Cheung, a Member of the Women's Commission, comprised a plenary session and small groups discussion.  Panel speakers were Ms Amy Yuen, Internal Vice-Chairperson of Association of the Advancement of Feminism; Dr Ng Chun-hung, Assistant Professor of Department of Sociology, The University of Hong Kong; Ms Cheung Ping-ling, Chairperson of Hong Kong Journalists Association; Mr Joseph Li, Acting Director (Operations) of Equal Opportunities Commission; and Ms Rose May Li, Principal Entertainment Standards Control Officer (Content Regulation) of Television Entertainment Licensing Authority.

Participants discussed whether women had been portrayed with bias in the media and advertisements; the impact of such bias or misrepresentation on women and other sectors of the community; the need to initiate changes in various sectors (including roles that different parties could play); how to tackle the problem and at the same time uphold freedom of the press and expression, and allow sufficient room for creativity; and effective ways to promote gender sensitivity in the community.

The forum was part of the Commission's public education and gender mainstreaming programmes to promote greater gender sensitivity and awareness, as well as to reduce gender stereotyping and community prejudices against women.