No More Page 3. Literally.

Thanks to the hard work of a vast number of people, from the concerted No More Page 3 lobbying campaign spearheaded by founder Lucy-Anne Holmes through to people playing their part through art activism, Page 3 is no longer a thing.*

After 45 years of featuring topless models on its third page, the Rupert Murdoch-owned UK tabloid will retain the concept of Page 3 girls but feature them clothed. Recent issues indicated it will replace previously braless non-famous models with famous actresses and models (e.g. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and the ‘Hollyoaks babes’, to use the Sun’s description) wearing bras.

The Daily Mail (another UK tabloid which is particularly rubbish on account of its link-baiting racism, sexism and insular fearmongering) reported that:

“a spokesman for the No More Page 3 campaign said: ‘We’re hearing the Sun may have dropped Page 3. This could be truly historic news and a great day for people power.'”

Hooray for the unnamed spokesman! Actually, it was the NMP3 campaigning team and it was a post on their Facebook page, and the announcement is so joyful that it’s only a tiny bit annoying that the Daily Mail referred to the poster as a ‘spokesman’. #spokesperson #everydaysexism #sorrynotsorry

Social media is rich with point and counterpoint debate over the nuances of the campaign’s success, and we wanted to give support to the blog post by writer and activist Rebecca Winson (@rebeccawinson on Twitter). She was an active NMP3 campaigner who got GMB trade union to support the cause. In her thoughts on the success of the No More Page 3 campaign, she makes the following three very salient points:

1. Topless models in the Sun being an issue was not particularly anything to do with class. Plenty of people who fit the ‘lower class’ demographic thought the page sucked.
2. Murdoch isn’t famous for caving into pressure – we should celebrate that, even if we don’t celebrate anything else.
3. No More Page 3 was an inclusive campaign that actively sought to take on union backing, and welcomed feedback from sex workers so that the NMP3 activists could take on board their concerns.

You can read her full blog here.

What do you think about the campaign? Please share your views on the Mookychick Facebook, Twitter and Forum.

*Disclaimer: In the interests of accuracy there is still a Page 3 in the Sun. There’s no jumping from page 2 to 4, like the omission of 13th floors in some hotels.