Healthy MEdia Commission Announces First Report: Academy Award-winning Actor Geena Davis and Former FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate Applaud "Positive and Healthy" Media Definitions

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Apr 16, 2012, 08:36 ET

LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, on behalf of the Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls, commission co-chairs Geena Davis, Academy Award-winning Actor and Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and Deborah Taylor Tate, former FCC Commissioner, will release the commission's first report. The Elements of Healthy Media will help define what comprises positive and healthy media - from onscreen images, to increased and diverse roles for women, to healthy and meaningful relationships. These definitions lay the groundwork for the commission's final recommendations, scheduled for release this fall.

"We are proud to come together to release the Elements of Healthy Media to define what our Healthy MEdia Commission finds to be 'positive and healthy' portrayals of women and girls," said Davis and Tate. "The Healthy MEdia Commission supports efforts to increase the number of female characters in the media and ensure that female roles, images, and portrayal are authentic, balanced and healthy. We thank our partners and commission members for helping to advance the national conversation about how to ensure we are creating a positive media environment for all our children."

Today's announcement event will take place at the National Association of Broadcasters national convention in Las Vegas. Commissioner Tate and special guest, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn - the only female currently on the FCC - will attend and give remarks.

Recognizing the need for gender balance and positive portrayals of women and girls in the media, the Girl Scouts of the USA, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), The Creative Coalition and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media joined forces to spearhead an industry-wide commitment to promote positive images of girls and women in the media. Today, the Healthy MEdia Commission: for Positive Images of Women and Girls has convened the first national dialogue on healthy images of women and girls in the media, gaining an industry-wide commitment to promote positive media images. The Healthy MEdia Commission consists of over 35 prominent members of media, academic, and youth serving communities. In addition, teen girls serve on a Youth Advisory Council to inform the work of the commission.

Using research from Girl Scouts of the USA, the American Psychological Association, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and the Media, and experts in the field of media and youth development – including the voices of girls themselves – the Healthy MEdia: Commission for Positive Images of Women and Girls today states that Elements of Healthy Media include:

Healthy Body Images
Active and Diverse Female Characters
Equal and Healthy Relationships
Increased roles for women and girls

The intent of these definitions is not to create a "one-size-fits-all" definition of healthy media or to create a grading system, but rather to provide examples and attributes of healthy media that can educate and inspire both creators and consumers.

To read the full report, please go here.

About Girl Scouts of the USA (www.girlscouts.org)

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.4 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls living overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About NCTA (http://www.ncta.com)

NCTA is the principal trade association for the U.S. cable industry, representing cable operators serving more than 90 percent of the nation's cable television households and more than 200 cable program networks. The cable industry is the nation's largest broadband provider of high-speed Internet access, serving more than 45 million customers, after investing more than $185 billion to build two-way interactive networks with fiber optic technology. Cable companies also provide state-of-the-art digital telephone service to more than 25 million American consumers.

About NAB (www.nab.org)

The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.

About The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (http://www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org)

Founded in 2004, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and its programming arm See Jane is the only research-based organization working within the entertainment community to develop impactful solutions to improve media images for girls and reduce gender stereotyping in all aspects of entertainment targeting children 11 and under.

Our three-tiered approach of research, education and advocacy influences, trains and educates key entertainment decision leaders, companies, organizations and the public.

About The Creative Coalition (www.TheCreativeCoalition.org)

The Creative Coalition is the premiere 501(C)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, particularly in the areas of public education, arts advocacy and First Amendment rights.

SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA