An Alabama Journalist Was Nearly Barred From Reporting On An Execution Due To A Dress Code

Ivana Shatara, the managing producer of news video and social media at the Alabama news outlet AL.com, has covered numerous executions in her time as a journalist.

But, on July 29, the reporter shared an uncomfortable run-in she had with the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) in regards to a sexist dress code.

“I was not going to share this story, but after another member of the media called attention to it, I wanted to get my story out there,” Ivana began in a Twitter update.

Earlier that Friday evening, she was tasked with witnessing and reporting on an execution. But, upon arrival, Ivana was met with resistance because of the length of her skirt.

“A representative of the Alabama Department of Corrections told me publicly that I could not view the execution because my skirt was too short,” the journalist continued.

“I have worn this skirt to prior executions without incident, as well as to work, professional events, and more.”

Ivana believes that her skirt was “more than appropriate” but even tried to pull her skirt waist to her hips in an attempt to make it longer.

Still, she shared how she is five-foot-seven and five-foot-ten while wearing heels– making her simply a “tall and long-legged person.”

Twitter; pictured above is Ivana

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And despite her best efforts, the department representative still condemned Ivana’s skirt length.

They also deemed her open-toed heels “too revealing” and wanted to prevent the journalist from doing her job of witnessing the execution.

Thankfully, a Birmingham TV station photographer witnessed the entire ordeal and offered up his rain gear– including Columbia PFG-style fisherman’s wader pants and suspenders.

“The ADOC spokesperson deemed this an appropriate swap for my skirt,” Ivana recalled.

Then, after securing the too-big wader pants using suspenders under her shirt, the journalist was also forced to figure out another shoe solution.

Miraculously, Ivana had left a new pair of tennis shoes in her car earlier that day and quickly retrieved them.

And despite the uncomfortable experience, she continued to do her job.

“I felt embarrassed to have my body and clothes questioned in front of a room of people I mostly had never met. But, I sat down, tried to stop blushing, and did my work– as women often have to do,” Ivana said.

The incident has since prompted the Editor In Chief and Vice President of content for Alabama Media Group, Kelly Ann Scott, to speak out.

Twitter; pictured above is Ivana’s tweet

“This was unacceptable, unequal treatment. I am proud to work with Ivana, who, despite this treatment, continued to report the story with professionalism to our audiences in Alabama,” Scott began.

“This was sexist and an egregious breach of professional conduct. And it should not happen to any other reporter again,” she continued.

AL.com has since issued a formal complaint against the ADOC.

Meanwhile, Ivana’s story also shed light on another incident of clothing inspection that a female reporter for The Associated Press was subjected to.

Julie Pace, AP’s Executive Editor, also condemned the “singling out of female reporters”– calling it “humiliating, discriminatory, and simply unacceptable behavior.”

The ADOC has since responded by citing their newly-enforced dress code– which mainly concerns female members of the media– and has pledged to “remind” journalists about the code prior to any future media events.

Still, journalists across the country and the greater social media community have not found solace in this response.

Instead, Ivana’s original Tweet sharing her story has gained over fifty-one thousand likes, seven thousand and four hundred retweets, and countless replies.

“It is exhausting to be a woman,” responded one user.

“Since when does the government tell grown women how to dress? This is not acceptable,” wrote a second user.

“The fact that oversized men’s rain gear and tennis shoes were considered ‘more professional’ than a skirt and heels tells you everything you need to know about how women are viewed in this country,” said a third.

To view Ivana’s original Tweet, visit the link here.

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Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek

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