Novelists Stephen King and Tabitha King recently donated $1.25 million to the New England Historic Genealogical Society. However, the gesture was subjected to press coverage that managed to reduce Tabitha King’s identity to “Stephen King’s wife’’.
Given the lopsided coverage, the headlines in question were called out by the duo for the visible ‘condescension’. Take a look!
‘Stephen King and his wife donate $1.25M to New England Historic Genealogical Society’
Tabitha King then used Stephen King’s account to release a series of tweets to voice her concerns.
Her statement followed after many reputable media houses published Associated Press’ story headlined - ‘Stephen King, wife give $1.25M to genealogical society’.
While some publications decided to include Tabitha in the headline, others such as The New York Times, USA Today and ABC News published the story as is. The headline has been updated by some publications, including AP, since the backlash.
“Wife is a relationship or status. It is not an identity.’’
Following the statement, social media was abuzz with opinions and reactions.
“You are TABITHA KING and should be named and respected as such.”
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)