Media Analysis from a Communty Perspective
	Welcome to the media analysis page. Advocates write updates and analysis on issues in the media that relate to them and their communities. This is a community produced page. If there's an issue that you think should be featured on this page, please email darbyhickey... at... gmail.com

US-Based groups win appeal on "anti-prostitution loyalty oath", July 6, 2011

A federal appeals court has ruled the United States cannot force US-based groups seeking international HIV/AIDS funding to denounce sex work. This decision from the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court in New York upholds a lower court decision in favor of the Alliance for Open Society International, Pathfinder International, Interaction and the Global Health Council. The decision, however, does not prevent the United States from applying the "anti-prostitution pledge" (also known as the anti-prostitution loyalty oath) to organizations based outside of the United States seeking US government funding for international HIV/AIDS work.  Read BPPP's media analysis on the full story.

Sex workers murdered on Long Island, New York, 2011

Press coverage of violence against sex workers and people in the sex trade is often sensationalized and insensitive. In April 2011, the New York Times (NYT) chose to present the murders of women on Long Island differently. The article "Prostitutes’ Disappearances Were Noticed Only When the First Bodies Were Found" takes the time to illustrate the details of the missing women's lives, humanizing them and critiquing the idea that they were "disposable." Twenty four year old Shannan Gilbert was last seen in a community a few miles from where four bodies were found and is still missing. "Ms Gilbert was a prostitute, but much more," wrote Manny Fernandez of the New York Times who added that "she was an aspiring actress, and the oldest of Mari Gilbert’s three daughters."  Read the full analysis...

Lawsuits against restrictive USAID Policy
	In 2003 new legislation was passed that allowed the US government to restrict NGOs in regards to what they can do and say about working with sex workers. Darby Hickey analyses the latest development on this issue, a lawsuit against the restriction from the Open Society Institute and affiliates. For analysis click here .

Human Trafficking Television Series, October 2005

Lifetime Television in conjunction with an unusual group of NGOs, such as Amnesty International and the International Justice Mission, has produced a two part mini-series called Human Trafficking. The series follows several women and girls as they are trafficked across the globe. Steering Committee Member Penny Saunders had a chance to go to the premiere in Washington DC and contributed her impressions about the series.

Update - USAID Prostitution “loyalty oath” found unconstitutional in two courts
	Two lawsuits against the US government over the so-called prostitution “loyalty oath” have ended with rulings favoring organizations that sued to defend their freedom of speech.