The Sun’s decision to whip its topless models off Page 3 is a positive sign of progress but a small step in the fight against sexism, according to a Manchester campaigner.
The national paper’s bare-breasted ladies have been getting a rise out of the masses since they were introduced in the 70s.
But this week, after years of controversy and the emergence of the No More Page 3 campaign – which now boasts more than 200,000 supporters – the busty babes have been silently scrapped from The Sun’s print edition.
The campaign’s regional representative, Anne Louise Kershaw, said this ‘long overdue decision’ is a small victory in the ongoing battle against the objectification of women.
She told MM: “I think it’s a small step, but it’s such a definite positive step forward. The Page 3 feature is symbolic of sexism and all that is wrong with it. It’s designed to titillate.
“The Sun has done this in a quiet manner. We haven’t had a response directly from them either.
BOOBS AREN’T NEWS: No More Page 3 has more than 200,000 supporters
“I don’t think them having it online will drive readers there instead. So many of these images are available online anyway now.
“If anything I would hope that their journalism would have more to it than just relying on these types of images.”
No More Page 3 have been spreading the message ‘boobs aren’t news’ since their founder, Lucy-Ann Holmes wrote an open letter the tabloid’s former editor, Dominic Mohan in 2012.
Since their petition has gained 217,243 signatures, including a host of celebrities, MPs and other public figures.
Labour MP Stella Creasy, Lib Dem Women’s and Equalities minister Jo Swinson, 6music radio presenter Lauren Laverne, actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders and former spin doctor Alastair Campbell are just some of the big names backing the bid to conceal the cleavage.
And news the national is no longer printing pictures of semi-naked ladies on Page 3 has only boosted support for the campaign.
Anne said: “Since the news has broken signatures of support for the campaign have only grown. So many people want change and their support highlights this.
“It doesn’t end here though. We will be putting our focus into other areas of the media too for fairer and equal representation of women across all media. There’s still so much more to be done, but this represents real positive progress.”
When The Sun introduced Page 3 girls their readership – which at its peak reached two million, predominantly male – shot up by 40%.
Today’s prevailing attitude against these women flaunting it all for the newspaper is a clear sign the times are changing and Anne believes every small success, like the one this week, is an extra push towards gender equality.
She added: “I grew up in that era when it was acceptable to have these ‘soft-sexualised’ images in the paper. The Sun was in the home, the local cafe or on the bus.
“I remember thinking it wasn’t on and wanting to do something about it and be part of a campaign that promotes women for their achievements, not their sexuality but all the other amazing things they do and promote equality.
“That is the driving force behind this campaign.”
You can support No More Page 3 by clicking here.
Image courtesy of Simon Bleasdale, with thanks.
