[Wamvan] **Skeenkamp sample letter template to send to media from WAM!Van (Thanks Sarah!)

[Joanna Chiu]

Hi everyone,

As per our discussion last week, WAM!Van member Sarah Khan has generously
taken the time to write a letter template for members to use to respond to
the sexist ongoing coverage of the Skeenkamp/Oscar Pistorius murder case.
I'm copying the letter below. Thanks very much, Sarah! The notes in
brackets are mine.

If we can all send one letter to one publication (local ones or
international), this could make a big impact! I'm a journalist at a
mainstream newspaper, so I've seen how editors take readers' complaints
very seriously--especially clear, well written and legitimate complaints.

Sorry, I'm in Beijing this week and can't access most of my Google services
to get my press contact list. The emails of editors and editorial page
editors should be on every media outlet's website, though. Try to cc the
journalist who wrote the offending story too!

If you have any general questions about writing letters to the editor,
Op-Eds, etc., let us know! Lots of PR/media/social activist people on this
listserv.

Joanna

 Dear [Insert full name of editor]:


 On Valentine’s Day, Reeva Skeenkamp was allegedly killed by Oscar
Pistorius.


 *[You can keep sample paragraph below, but you should refer specifically
to the story(ies) of the publication you're writing to. Include headlines
and publication dates.]:*


 Her story was all over the world's media: “'Brainy blond' killed by her
boyfriend” (Vancouver Sun). “The murder of the 'leggy blonde with a law
degree' is a tragedy for the Para Olympic community” (Washington Post). Her
bikini-clad photos have accompanied a number of these articles. Even after
Skeenkamp’s death, she is objectified and dehumanized.


 The day of Skeenkamp’s death was marked by another event: One Billion
Rising, a global campaign to end violence against women. But how can we end
violence against women if respected media outlets such as yours continue to
cultivate a culture that condones abuse and murder of women?


 *[Amend this paragraph to comment specifically on how the newspaper you're
writing to described Pistorius] *Oscar Pictorius has been described as
heroic and inspiring athlete by some media sources. This promotes the view
that strong men can do whatever they want, including abuse.


 I urge *[publication's name] *to continue the spirit of One Billion Rising
to end violence by changing the way your publication describes women.


 *[Include your own suggestions here:] *An example might be: Reeva
Skeenkamp was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend Para Olympic athlete
Oscar Pistorius. The world mourns for the death of a rising star and
outspoken rape activist.


 I hope that in your future stories, you maintain your responsibility to
avoid cultural attitudes that oppress individuals in our society, because
appealing to these attitudes will endanger certain individuals in society.


 *[If you're interested in writing an Op-Ed for the media outlet on this
topic, or other issues, say so here.] *


 Sincerely,


 [Insert name]


 Member of Women Action & the Media! (WAM!) Vancouver sub-chapter

*[Add other relevant information and your contact details (at least include
email, phone number also preferred.] *






-- 
---
 Joanna Chiu
www.joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com%20/>
twitter.com/joannachiu
WAM! Vancouver <http://www.wamvancouver.wordpress.com%20/>
<http://twitter.com/joannachiu>
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