Improving Media Perception

[Doug H]

While posting on the Surreal Life episode I had an idea to improve media perception.

Given the flak caused by the mere existence of the nudist youth camps and given that most of that flak is based on the misperception that children are more vulnerable at the nudist camps than there clothed counterparts, has anyone suggested having "60 Minutes" do an investigation of youth summer camps in general to place the relative risks of both side-by-side for objective comparison. "60 Minutes" is three things that are important: thorough, fair, and watched.

Another idea that I had would be to have a major nudist organization (preferably INA, since they do "Nudes in the News" regularly) cooperate with a network like the Travel Channel or Discovery Channel on a documentary about nude resorts and/or beaches.

Just some ideas,

Doug H.

[Doug H]

While posting on the Surreal Life episode I had an idea to improve media perception.

Given the flak caused by the mere existence of the nudist youth camps and given that most of that flak is based on the misperception that children are more vulnerable at the nudist camps than there clothed counterparts, has anyone suggested having "60 Minutes" do an investigation of youth summer camps in general to place the relative risks of both side-by-side for objective comparison. "60 Minutes" is three things that are important: thorough, fair, and watched.

Another idea that I had would be to have a major nudist organization (preferably INA, since they do "Nudes in the News" regularly) cooperate with a network like the Travel Channel or Discovery Channel on a documentary about nude resorts and/or beaches.

Just some ideas,

Doug H.

[Paulie1Mor]

Doug H,

I kind of want to lean to what you are seeking, but the media is always looking for the news worhty, credit rating, shock and surprise which has enveloped the television market with reality shows from all angles. I can't see nudist getting a fair wrap, until, the public is educated, and that's a job in itself. I was totally blown away when I saw on TV the comments about "youth nudist camps" These reporters didn't have a clue! They rode the child endangerment train, to alarm non-nudist people to think that we were evil. To me these thoughts are from our past, but they still rise in ignorance. My wife to be and mother of three, was a youth councelor last year in Texas. She has been workin' with kids for many years and for some Government rep. to say we're wrong, really chaps my hide. Our children are probably more adjusted than the parents who are complaining. If the media was to accept normal nudity as is, where would the sensationalism come from? No news to tell. No profit to make...

[nudeinfl]

Maybe I'm a bit pessimistic, but I don't believe that the mainstream media will give nudism a fair shake. Not at this time anyway. Part of the problem with the Surreal Life was that they had a porn star involved. How can we expect the general public to separate nudism from sex when there is a connection like that? Our cause would be better served with a cultural icon photoed nude sunbathing.

The media bias regarding the nudist youth camps shows how much further we have to go. We still are percieved by many to be perverts, if not child molesters. Is this reality? Of course not. Were all those altar boys "safer" because they were clothed around those priests? I don't think so. Our battle is won one mind at a time. To try to turn the masses at this early stage might be counterproductive. We need only to look at the political ads and newscasts to see how the truth can be manipulated. Both parties are going to create images that make the other side look awful.

Our focus, overall, should be at the grassroots level. Naturally, we need our organizations fighting at the political level to protect our rights. However, local focus to open some minds over time will yield better results. National focus can ensue once our foundation s firm.

Just my 1.5 cents.

[Doug H]

I appreciate what's been written. And I'm willing to concede the timing may not be right in the near future. That said, in spite of nudism web presence, which is considerable, and in spite of all the educational programs being implemented, the facts of nudism are not out there where the average person is going to see them. The number persons who read the editorial page and the number of persons who attend legislative hearings combined are a drop in the bucket compared to the number of persons who watch a program like '60 minutes'. And '60 Minutes' will allow themselves to become properly informed before they report on something.

And while I agree that word-of-mouth is the best promotion. (And it always is, irregardless of what's being promoted. It's free and people trust it.) The Foley-types have the front page. Why are nudists and nudist organizations willing to settle for the back pages? Attacks on the lifestyle similar the politically-motivated one that Foley attempted will keep coming as long as nudists so willing surrender the front page to them. We're making it too easy for them.

Doug H.

[Fresh Air]

I agree with nudeinfl. I don't see the media as someone you can trust ever. I always take any news story with a grain of sugar. I try to see it for what it is. A TV show selling airtime for commercials. If you want to sell commercials, you better have good storys (authentic portrayals or not). Which would get more coverage, showing how boring and typical nudists are...or portraying the slightest imprefections?

Fresh Air

[nudeinfl]

Fresh Air touches on an important point. The media is about power. Their power resides in ratings so they can sell their ad spots at a premium. For this reason, most news stories are sensationalism meant to lure and shock viewers. Nudism needs nothing of that sort.

That being said, there is a time when the media becomes an unwitting ally; when you have something they want. Usually that a story so they can make more money. Advertisers/marketers are consistently studying the demographics to hit the target audiences. The attractiveness of nudists is that they cut across all demographic divides. Also, nudists tend to have a tremendous amount of buying power. Of the nudists I met, nary a one would be deemed poor. Nudists have pride in themselves and I presume this translates into a good successful work ethic. Whatever the reason, we have what those people want, the attractiveness to lure the dollars out of the advertisers. The only thing we are lacking is numbers. Sheer volume gets attention in this game.

We have seen this script before. Without getting political, we saw it with the civil rights movement, womens rights, and now with the gays. Huge groups of people create a power basis. This is done through cohesion. Nudists must take the same steps. A fragmented community will not enable us to utilize our strength. We need to band together for the common good. Then, we can approach the media and "use" them for our purposes.

[R.M.GREENMAN2]

Off the top of my head, there were two shows I saw, years ago that did more good than bad for the nudist lifestyle. Geraldo used to have a talk show and he did a show at a nudist resort surrounded by nudists. He had an opposition group there that, as I remember, came off looking like the bad guys and the nudists came out smelling like roses.
One quote I remember well was when a member was asked about what goes on regularly, he said,"If Hugh M. Hefner was to visit, he'd find us quite boring."
The other one was a L.A. Law episode where at the end, Susan Dey's character ended up joining a nudist party.

[flash]

id like to think im starting a small trend in north carolina. i do the country's only nudist friendly radio show that is consistent. granted we are a small 800 watt am radio station in clayton n.c. but it does exist. and it is on real air not just online so many many folks listen to my show on the radio and online at www.wbzb.com (http://www.wbzb.com) the show airs every monday morning from 7 to 10 am eastern time. anyhow the only thing that will make it successful is to have the support of the nudist community. i use info from this site and aanr all the time for content and stories. just wanted to post for those of you that do listen i appreciate you and those that havent heard of the show mabey this will be good for you..im easy to get up with if you have any specific topics youd like to discuss on the program .. my e mail is sgentry@wbzb.com i hope this came across more informational than just a shameless plug.that was not my intentions.. im here im nude and i have a microphone.. see you monday mornings at www.wbzb.com (http://www.wbzb.com) sincerely shane gentry

[nunne]

We all agree that the media is interested in making money. One of the things, it seems to me, to be lacking in the promotion of nudism, is our willingness to spend money with the media in advertising our lifestyle.

Most media sources with which I am familiar are pretty unwilling to provide unbiased coverage for anything that is looking only for free promotion of their particular interest. On the other hand, if you spend a little money with them to do some advertising, they also become more receptive to giving a little air or print time to the particular interest group.

I do not live near any nudist resort, and I certainly have never seen any advertising in my local media about naturism. However, as I go to various parts of the country, I find it almost impossible to find any nudist group in that area by looking in the local media, or the telephone book. It is no wonder that the opponents of nudism are outspoken, since they are not even aware that many of their friends and neighbors are actually participating in the lifestyle.

I see ads for all sorts of naturist places in N magazine, but I cannot find the same ads in travel magazines or other types of media.

How many naturists would be willing to spend a few bucks for a concerted national campaign during National Nude Recreation Week?

Nun'ne

[flash]

you get it together and ill air it..thats what i do later shane

Some observations from a committed textile.

Nudists have one very precious asset in their public image, namely that they are generally seen to be sensitive to and considerate of the feelings of non-nudists. On the minus side nudists can also appear to be extremely private people, secretive and unwelcoming to and suspicious of outsiders.

It is important to preserve the "asset" and increase it in the eyes of the public at all cost if you are to win support, a massive increase in the number of nudists and ultimately more venues. It will also silence your critics.

To address the "minus" aspect, I suggest you consider setting up and advertising "Open Days" at nudist venues specifically aimed at interested non-nudists. It may be possible to apply a small admission charge that would cover the cost of a "nudism fact sheet" setting out the rules and conventions of nudism together with an explanation of the underlying philosophy and the addresses of relevant organisations.

Stu

[MikeJB]

Nudists have one very precious asset in their public image, namely that they are generally seen to be sensitive to and considerate of the feelings of non-nudists.
-------------------------------------------------

Yes most of us usually are that way, problem is very few people know that, understand that or beleive that its true because the media and society at large seem to distort the view of us so much.


------------------------------------------------
On the minus side nudists can also appear to be extremely private people, secretive and unwelcoming to and suspicious of outsiders.
------------------------------------------------


The only reason we are usually private is because we have to be because of the way society looks at us and treats us and because we generally wanna stay away from those who find us offensive so we dont hurt their feelings. We feel a bit suspicious of outsiders mainly because there are some who are not truly interested in becoming nudists and just want to cause trouble and ruin the image we've worked so hard and long to maintain and so sometimes we gotta be a bit wary of that but thats what we gotta do sometimes to preserve what we have. We dont want some pediphile or extreme critic coming into our resorts and doing something sexual or illegal or making a mockery of us for all the media to see and use against us in their intolerant hateful and distorted ways.

[ncognito66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>To address the "minus" aspect, I suggest you consider setting up and advertising "Open Days" at nudist venues specifically aimed at interested non-nudists. It may be possible to apply a small admission charge that would cover the cost of a "nudism fact sheet" setting out the rules and conventions of nudism together with an explanation of the underlying philosophy and the addresses of relevant organisations.

Stu [/QB] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>If a charge is needed to cover costs, I say let the current nudists subsidize the cost, making it free to people who are interested. Sort of an "Adopt a Textile" type thing.