1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
Oh No, It's a Girl!
Author: Viji Sundaram
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
August 31, 2010 in New America Media. It was subsequently picked up by Hyphen, India Currents and The Indian American
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The story attempts to shed light on the way some ob/gyns in the U.S. are exploiting the hunger for a male child prevalent in many ethnic communities, especially those in and from South Asia. Women are frequently coerced, overtly or subtly, to guarantee the prize their husbands desire above all else — a son. Aware of this, a number of fertility clinics in the U.S. are helping women get around bans on sex-selection for non-medical reasons in Canada, India and most other countries. And they are parlaying this craving for a male heir into a fortune. As I researched the piece, I was shocked to learn that so many fertility clinics in India work closely with their U.S. counterparts, preparing the women for the procedure in the U.S. Women's groups feel forcing women to produce a boy child is another form of violence. Recently, a women's support group in the Bay Area, determined to end the practice of gender selection, has launched a survey to determine how South Asians in the U.S. feel about it. I am waiting for the results of the survey to be released to do a follow-up story.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I contacted academics, women's rights groups and doctors who have done work in the field of sex selection. Most everyone was willing to talk to me.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed two S. Asian women — one who had just had the procedure done at Dr. Steinberg's clinic, and another who was abused by her husband for giving birth to a girl child. I also interviewed a number of South Asian women's support groups. I did an extensive interview with Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg, who runs a fertility clinic in Encino, California.
6. Results (if any).
n/a
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy?
If so, please explain. I plan to do a follow-up after the results of the survey I mentioned earlier are released. No, no one has challenged the accuracy of the story.
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Shining a spotlight on such social issues is sure to bring about policy changes in the long run. The fact that most countries have banned clinics from offering sex selection for non-medical reasons shows that the practice is unethical. As journalists, we are uniquely positioned to bring about social changes, and this is one change women will be thankful for.