The effects of affirmative action on women are conspicuously under-reported by the news media, according to a study released by FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) in January. The survey analyzed news media coverage of affirmative action in 15 major outlets during the first half of 1998.

Only two percent (seven out of 314 stories) of affirmative action coverage focused on the impact of affirmative action on women, notes FAIR. Those news stories that initially do mention women when defining affirmative action programs summarily remove them from later discussion of the issue and focus on race alone. Furthermore, stories centered on affirmative action frequently make no mention of the still-present racism and sexism that affirmative action is intended to address. Ironically, women are arguably the most numerous single group affected by affirmative action policies.