h today, than you did three years ago. They contend that the effects of objectification on men and women aren't equal because "men and women aren't equal to begin with." Author of this column, David Menzies writes "Hmmm, I still dunno. Isn't a double standard, by any other name, still a double standard?" (p.9) There is another more serious problem then offending the genders, with sex in the media today.. "Advertising images featuring young models in suggestive poses are sending out sinister messages to pedophiles," according to one of Australia's leading forensic psychiatrists, William Glaser. He argues that some advertising messages are giving pedophiles subconscious approval to commit crime. "It's a very subtle thing, but a young girl posing suggestively in a revealing bikini can send out the wrong message," Glaser says. He adds "I don't blame the advertising industry, but feels it fuels the fire when it comes to pedophilia." (Johnson) Also, the attractiveness of sexual aggression as crime news, and therefore as prime news, has been recognized by many newspapers lately. "While comfortably hidden under the cloak of objective crime reporting, sexual violence can be endlessly exploited for its titillating value, its crypto - pornographic quality and its sexist slant." (Johnson, 1997, p.324) As rape and sexual assault became a more serious social problem in the 80's, this prime news story has helped many papers to sell more copies in the competitive news market, while creating an impression of responsive and responsible reporting. "Newspapers are adept in sensing issues that arouse general interest and they then subtly alter the terms of the debate to achieve the end result of selling newspapers and making a profit," alleged authors Maria Los and Sharon Chamond. "There is a thin line when it comes to educating the public on a problem, or exploiting it for it's shock value." (Los and Chamond, 1997, p.293) Although this is ...
