Online attacks and disinformation undermine women and people of color in politics. The only things that should determine electability are candidates' positions, values, accomplishments, and public service.

The media must play a role in ensuring that women and people of color running for or holding public office are represented fairly.

UltraViolet is partnering with ACRONYM, Color Of Change PAC, EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE!, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Votes, SumOfUs, Women’s March, and more to publish a new guide for combatting sexism, racism, and disinformation in politics.

This guide will help journalists and platforms identify and avoid unintentional sexist and racist bias or disinformation about women and people of color running for or holding political office.

Despite a recent increase in the number of political leaders who are women and/or people of color, there's still a long way to go until our nation's elected officials truly represent the population. Women make up only 25 percent of the Senate and 23 percent of the House, despite being 51 percent of the U.S. population. People of color comprise 39 percent of the population but only 22 percent of Congress.

Media representation plays a critical role in how candidates of color and women are perceived by voters. Headlines, photos, social media previews, and content of an article can be used to spread racist and sexist ideas and encourage or legitimize disinformation.

Send a message now to make sure editors at major news companies commit to ending sexist and racist news coverage, and share this guide with their reporters.