To mark the 100 year anniversary of Irish women and the vote, Europe Direct in Blanchardstown and Fingal Libraries presented a series of talks looking at various aspects of Irish women in politics.
My own talk was looking at how female politicians are portrayed in the media and social media, and even in Google search results and how this impacts on their leadership, and what we can do to change things.
Similar to How many followers would Countess Markievicz have? A discussion on the portrayal of female politicians in the media and social media today. (15)
10. 1. Discussing female politicians’ looks
2. Focusing on their domestic life
3. Attaching female politicians to powerful men
4. Saying they get ‘emotional’
5. Commenting on their voices i.e. ‘shrill’
Five ways the media hurts female politicians — and how journalists everywhere can do better
24. October 2016. Inter-Parliamentary Union study Sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians
Quantitative and qualitative data provided voluntarily by 55 women parliamentarians globally.
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27. "I passed you in the street, I'm so close it's unreal,"
another message states.
Ms Higgins was left "scared stiff" and in a position where
she "rarely left the confines of Leinster House" while in
Dublin.
Three counts of threatening to kill or cause serious
harm to Ms Higgins, and two of harassing her.
'I will watch you bleed' - internet troll spared jail despite vile death threats against senator
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37. • ‘Hot’ results in Google Search and Google Images
• Legs & shoes, ‘Mum of Two (40)’
• Facebook, public figures, email, death & rape threats
• Channel your ‘Inner Rubberbandit’
• Follow and support more female politicians
Summary
Editor's Notes
As Orla mentioned My name is Louise Bunyan and I am delighted to discuss the portrayal of female politicians in the media and social media.
But first, let’s do a quick straw poll.
Conor McGregor – any social media platform.
Follow Male politicians – any social media platform.
Female politicians – any social media platform
Excerpt from a very famous speech by Countess Markievicz.
If you put your mind to it, no one will be able to sidetrack you
What about the media, social media and even a simple Google Search
Explore this in more detail
*Before next slide* When you do a Google Search, did you ever search prompts from Google?
So you’re typing away and then these suggestions appear.
Preparing for this talk - Google Search. Prompts - Irish Female Politician’
Mary
Hot,
Northern
Sexiest.
Balance
‘Irish Male PoliticianS’. And S. Plural.
Google Image - Irish Female Politicians
This is an algorithm
Returning - most relevant parts of the internet for me
Words – search phrases – search results
Virginia García Beaudoux Professor of Politics and Public Opinion, University of Buenos Aires
Discuss the first two today – looks and domestic life.
Looks – could be here all day – hair, clothes, body type
Obsession – legs, shoes, female politicians
Going to show you 3 images from print publications – 2008 US Presidential Election – spot a common theme?
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, stands on the stage during a campaign rally with her running mate Senator John McCain.
Typo – Sarah Plain.
Theresa May went to Scotland to meet Nichola Sturgeon.
UK leaving the EU. Possible 2nd Scottish referendum.
Frosty atmosphere.
LEGS. JACKETS.
At least we can see her head and there’s no shoes in the picture.
Cue sky falling down. World stop turning.
44.4% Threats of death, rape, beatings or abduction in person and via email
Nearly 42% had extremely humiliating or sexually charged images of themselves spread through social media
“open and critical discussion” of public figures. But they draw the line at “credible threats” and hate speech.
Internet troll - pleaded guilty - 3 counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm. 2 counts of harassment.
“Scared stiff” and “rarely left the confines of Leinster House” – another common theme in the Inter-Parliamentary Union Study or restricted travel movements based on fear.
On a scale of 1-10 – this is probably a ZERO in terms of trolling
Short skirts – not sure how that would be received these days!
Death sentence overturned. She said, “I do wish your lot had the decency to shoot me”
Silly woman. Can’t make up her mind. And she’s a mother too.
Channel your inner RubberBandit
Eloquent response to a question
Love this quote. We older people look to you…”bringing fresh ideas, fresh energies, a great genius.”
Hands up, how many of you now might follow and support female politicians?
That’s it from me today. Thank you for your time and for your engagement.