Although the globalization of media can bridge cultural and political differences, it also fosters global monoculture. Women worldwide are concerned about preserving their identities and defending themselves against the continuing assaults on their image in the media. The delegates to the conference, realizing that media policies reflect journalistic values, concentrated on a plan of action to improve the way women are portrayed by the media.

Twelve countries were represented at the conference by activists, academics and media and communication professionals. The meeting was coorganized by ISIS InternationalManila and the World Association for Christian Communication. Participants cited examples of derogatory media coverage specific to their countries:

In Japan, sex is graphically presented in socalled comic books sold on the street and accessible to children. Sports and business news are splattered with pornographic photos of women.

In the Philippines, tabloids use nude photos of aspiring women actresses called "starlets" to boost sales.

South Korea is puzzled by the phenomenal popularity of a South Korean woman who gained fame as a pornographic model in the West. Men are obsessed by her and young women admire her for her daring, elevating her to a new role model. The media have picked up on this sensation, despite South Korea's generally very traditional attitude toward women.

At the conclusion of the conference, participants put forth a set of policy recommendations and strategies directed at the various players involved in formulating media policy. The recommendations address the challenges posed by globalization, commercialization of local media and the increased violation of women's human rights in the media. They suggested new policies and guidelines be created to recognize the latest developments in the media, including new information and communication technologies, the limits to democratization of the media and the questions of who has access to and control over the media.

Following up on the regional conference, ISIS Manila put together an assessment of the media's coverage and how it perpetuates violence against women. The assessment, Status of Women and Media: Focus on Violence Against Women, will be presented in a multimedia forum to coincide with the March 1998 meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York. In addition to the report, the forum will feature a video version of the assessment and an exhibit of advertisements that portray women  positively in their multiple roles and uphold their status and dignity. A panel will discuss how resource people can exchange effective strategies for influencing or intervening in the media.

If media practitioners are urged to link with activists and researchers, governments with NGOs, local and regional networks with their international counterparts, the conference participants believe women can look forward to winning social justice, including gender justice for women in the media. Papers on gender communications policy from the participating countries can be obtained from ISIS-Manila.

Lilian Mercado Carreon, Communications Manager, ISIS InternationalManila, 3 Marunong Street, Barangay Central District, Quezon City, The Philippines: Tel: 63-24353405/3408; Tel/Fax: 63-24360312; e-mail: isis@mnl.sequel.net or isis@phil.gn.apc.org