A Times report released today has alleged that The Sun could have finally called time on Page 3 today for the first time in 44 years, scrapping the infamous images of topless models in a “landmark” decision celebrated by its crowd of critics.
The page, which featured daily images of topless women, was introduced almost simultaneously with Rupert Murdoch’s ownership of the tabloid in 1970.
According to the report, the last newspaper to contain the images was the Friday 16 January edition.
But, as insiders have warned, if sales of The Sun decline as a result of the boycott, the heavily criticised page could make a comeback.
A spokeswoman for campaign group ‘No More Page 3′, an organisation whose actions have been fiercely backed by the University of Essex Students’ Union, told The Guardian:
“This could be truly historic news and a great day for people power. It could be a huge step for challenging media sexism.”
Following a nationwide campaign aptly named ‘Boobs Aren’t News’, the University of Essex paved the way for other universities in removing The Sun from its shelves last November.
‘Boobs Aren’t News’ signs decorated campus walls in celebration of the alleged decision
Chantel Le Carpentier, President of the Students’ Union, said:
“I am over the moon with the news that the Sun will stop page three. There’s still injustices with the way women are portrayed in the media, and I’m sure the Sun will remain the rag that it’s always been.
“But we must enjoy this moment. This is a massive victory for women and young girls. Well done sisters! Now to the next battle.”
Chantel, SU President, with champagne
In protest to its “sexism”, as Chantel put it, students at Essex joined 29 other universities in banning issues of The Sun and fellow tabloid The Star at SU retail venues until it removed the “offensive” fixture.
Today, members of the Students’ Union and the Feminist Society gathered outside Students’ Union shop The Store to celebrate The Sun’s alleged decision.
When asked what the Feminist Society’s future plans were for the ‘Boobs Aren’t News’ campaign, Charlie Edge, Women’s Officer at the Students’ Union, said:
“It’s just baby steps at the moment. We’re hoping that in future The Sun will be more inclusive of people of all genders, abilities, skin tones, sizes, etc. As a country we’ve managed to encourage people to change their perceptions of women and how they are exploited.
“The pressure from campuses like Essex refusing to sell it until they do remove the page, together with online campaigns – it has made a difference.
“Now we’ve put bikinis on them, we want to get rid of the idea of Page 3 completely and the idea that a newspaper needs to have half-naked women in it in order to sell, which I think is disgusting,” she added.
Yesterday’s move is alleged to have formed part of The Sun’s plan to ‘kill the fixture off quietly.‘
Page 3 will ‘remain active’ on the tabloid’s website, but it appears the feature will no longer form part of its daily digest.
BREAKING: The Sun could axe Page 3 after four decades | The Rabbit Newspaper
A Times report released today has alleged that The Sun could have finally called time on Page 3 today for the first time in 44 years, scrapping the infamous images of topless models in a “landmark” decision celebrated by its crowd of critics.
The page, which featured daily images of topless women, was introduced almost simultaneously with Rupert Murdoch’s ownership of the tabloid in 1970.
According to the report, the last newspaper to contain the images was the Friday 16 January edition.
But, as insiders have warned, if sales of The Sun decline as a result of the boycott, the heavily criticised page could make a comeback.
A spokeswoman for campaign group ‘No More Page 3′, an organisation whose actions have been fiercely backed by the University of Essex Students’ Union, told The Guardian:
“This could be truly historic news and a great day for people power. It could be a huge step for challenging media sexism.”
Following a nationwide campaign aptly named ‘Boobs Aren’t News’, the University of Essex paved the way for other universities in removing The Sun from its shelves last November.
‘Boobs Aren’t News’ signs decorated campus walls in celebration of the alleged decision
Chantel Le Carpentier, President of the Students’ Union, said:
“I am over the moon with the news that the Sun will stop page three. There’s still injustices with the way women are portrayed in the media, and I’m sure the Sun will remain the rag that it’s always been.
“But we must enjoy this moment. This is a massive victory for women and young girls. Well done sisters! Now to the next battle.”
Chantel, SU President, with champagne
In protest to its “sexism”, as Chantel put it, students at Essex joined 29 other universities in banning issues of The Sun and fellow tabloid The Star at SU retail venues until it removed the “offensive” fixture.
Today, members of the Students’ Union and the Feminist Society gathered outside Students’ Union shop The Store to celebrate The Sun’s alleged decision.
When asked what the Feminist Society’s future plans were for the ‘Boobs Aren’t News’ campaign, Charlie Edge, Women’s Officer at the Students’ Union, said:
“It’s just baby steps at the moment. We’re hoping that in future The Sun will be more inclusive of people of all genders, abilities, skin tones, sizes, etc. As a country we’ve managed to encourage people to change their perceptions of women and how they are exploited.
“The pressure from campuses like Essex refusing to sell it until they do remove the page, together with online campaigns – it has made a difference.
“Now we’ve put bikinis on them, we want to get rid of the idea of Page 3 completely and the idea that a newspaper needs to have half-naked women in it in order to sell, which I think is disgusting,” she added.
Yesterday’s move is alleged to have formed part of The Sun’s plan to ‘kill the fixture off quietly.‘
Page 3 will ‘remain active’ on the tabloid’s website, but it appears the feature will no longer form part of its daily digest.