A Stunning Victory for RADAR?

Five months ago RADAR set out to do what some considered the impossible: to convince the mainstream media to report the domestic violence issue in a balanced and objective manner.

Beginning January 16, we started to issue weekly Alerts that targeted newspapers, radio, and television. We went after the big fish, like the New York Times, and some of the small fry, like the Everett (WA) Herald.

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Now, it looks like RADAR has succeeded. All across the nation, the nation’s media outlets have substantially reduced their biased coverage of domestic violence. Even the Washington Post, long a source of DV-bias, has been silent, except for a single guest editorial on March 19.

In fact earlier this month, the Dr. Phil Show ran a story on DV, and gave a surprisingly balanced depiction of the issue.

So let’s pause and reflect how all our phone calls, e-mails, and letters indeed have made a difference. To all those who responded to the RADAR Alerts these past several months, we say a hearty, “Thank you!”

Of course, now that the Violence Against Women Act has been re-introduced in the Congress, the media may go back to their old ways. We need to continue to monitor our local newspapers – and RADAR will respond when necessary.

But now we face a new challenge: a VAWA bill that callously ignores the hundreds of thousands of male victims of DV – a bill that, if passed in its current form – will continue to subsidize the stereotype of men as batterers and abusers.

Fortunately, a vigorous coalition of groups representing fathers, women, and others recently has formed. This coalition consists of some of the heavy-hitters in the DC political scene. This coalition will be working in the weeks ahead to educate lawmakers about the serious flaws of VAWA.

But this coalition will not be effective unless lawmakers know there is an overwhelming groundswell of discontent with VAWA.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN.

Beginning this coming week, RADAR will be issuing a series of weekly Alerts. Each Alert will advise persons to the current legislative status of the VAWA legislation, and ask you to take action. We will be asking you to telephone, write, or personally meet with your elected officials.

Throughout the process, it is essential that you express your views in a reasonable, polite, and concise manner. A three-page rant is far less effective than a one-page letter that objectively explains why VAWA is wrong.

VAWA is the big kahuna of gender politics, and the financial and ideological stakes are high. Some persons say we face an impossible task – that’s exactly what they said when we started RADAR. Yes, we face a well-financed opponent -- but truth and reason are on our side.

Let’s roll.

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Date of RADAR Release: June 18, 2005

Join other men’s and father’s rights activists at the Second National Men’s Equality Congress, July 15-16 in Washington DC. The first day of the Congress, July 15, will be devoted to lobbying activities on Capitol Hill. RADAR representatives will be there to orient persons to the current status of VAWA.

To receive RADAR Alerts, press releases, and other special announcements, sign up for the RADAR E-lert. You can sign up for the E-lert on the RADAR home page at http://www.mediaradar.org/. Your e-mail address will be kept confidential, and will not be shared with any outside organization.

Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting (RADAR) is a coalition of men and women working to assure media balance and accuracy in coverage of the domestic violence issue.

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