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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Jennifer Pozner, founder of Women in Media and News, will give a free public lecture at Oregon State University on Monday, Feb. 23, that looks at how women are portrayed on “reality” television shows.

Her presentation, which mixes humor and critical analysis, begins at 7 p.m. in LaSells Stewart Center, located at 26th Street and Western Boulevard on the OSU campus.

Pozner’s talk, “Project Brainwash: Why Reality TV is Bad for Women,” will explore and show clips from such shows as “The Bachelor,” “Americans Next Top Model,” “American Idol,” “Extreme Makeover” and “Flavor of Love.” Many of these shows, Pozner says, reinforce regressive stereotypes about men, women, race, class, sex, love and marriage.

Often depicted as “bachelor babes” or part of “husband-hunting harems,” women on reality television have become a product sold alongside soda, beer and cell phones.

The lecture is sponsored by the OSU Women’s Center, Office of Women’s Advancement and Gender Equity and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Pozner founded Women in Media and News in 2001 to increase the voice of women in media analysis, education, advocacy and reform. She formerly worked for the national media watch group FAIR, and she was a staff writer for Extra! magazine and the organizer of the national Feminist Coalition on Public Broadcasting.

Pozner’s freelance work on women, media, politics and pop culture has been published in Newday, Chicago Tribune, Arizona Republic and Ms., among other publications. Pozner has appeared on ABC News Now’s “Top Priority,” Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” and several other television programs.

For additional information or accommodations, call the OSU Women’s Center at 541-737-3186.