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Adoption Institute Seeks Meeting With Fox, Urges Protests to Fox Affiliates
NEW YORK, Jan. 1 -- Just days before Fox's scheduled premier
of "Who's Your Daddy," the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute today called
for an urgent meeting between network executives and members of the adoption
community, who have criticized the new reality show as insensitive and
harmful.
"This is still the holiday season, a time when we should be celebrating
our families and embracing our children, not worrying about the impact a
reprehensible television show may have on them," said Adam Pertman, executive
director of the Adoption Institute. "Maybe if the Fox executives hear us out
and better understand our deep concerns, they will act responsibly and pull
the plug on "Who's Your Daddy."
In the program, an adult adoptee tries to guess which of eight men is her
biological father, with $100,000 at stake if she's right. The show has been
denounced by major organizations including the Child Welfare League of
America, Children's Defense Fund and North American Council on Adoptable
Children, as well as by thousands of birth parents, adoptive parents, adopted
people, agencies and other diverse groups.
The Adoption Institute urged individuals and organizations to immediately
take their protests to Fox affiliates, one of which already has refused to run
the show. Pertman also suggested:
* Fox should take its $100,000 (and much more) and donate it to help
orphans and others devastated by the tragic earthquake in Asia. "More
power to Fox if it wants to help adopted people and their families
reunite, but this isn't the way to do it; get rid of the spectacle and
put the money to better use."
* Media outlets should editorialize against the program. "Newspapers and
other media regularly rail against the exploitation of people because
of their race, gender or religion. Well, this issue is at least as
important to tens of millions of their readers and viewers. They should
denounce this exploitation, too."
* Employees of Fox, especially ones with ties to adoption, should tell
their bosses how offensive this show is. "Experience and research
demonstrate the value of adoption reunions, so Fox could better educate
the public about this fast-growing trend, which unfortunately is
impeded by antiquated laws and policies."
The Adoption Institute is a pre-eminent policy, research and education
organization. It provides accurate, unbiased information for journalists,
researchers and policymakers. Its award-winning website contains extensive
information on adoption-related issues, including ones relating to ethics and
best practices.
Pertman, a Pulitzer Prize nominee for his writing about adoption, is the
author of "Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming
America." He lectures nationally and abroad, and his commentaries on adoption
and children's issues have appeared in major print and broadcast media.
To arrange an interview, or for more information, please contact Pertman
at 617-332-8944, 617-763-0134 or apertman@adoptioninstitute.org. The Institute
website is http://www.adoptioninstitute.org.
SOURCE The Adoption Institute
Web Site: http://www.adoptioninstitute.org
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