It can’t be denied, media has tremendous power to affect peoples’ lives. Through film, television, radio and print it’s impossible not to be influenced by what we see, read and hear. Think of the clothing fad that started virtually overnight by teenage girls watching their favourite celebs sporting low-rise jeans. Soon, everyone seemed to being wearing that style (in fact it wasn’t long before it became difficult to find any other style to purchase). From choosing the type of car to drive to the type of dish detergent for our kitchens, media powerfully guides us.  That power provides an awesome opportunity… to make the world a better place for all living in it. Next weekend in Beverly Hills the HSUS will be honouring the best in animal-friendly news and entertainment media at the 23rd Annual Genesis Awards show.  It is the only awards show of its kind that honors the news and entertainment media for showcasing animal issues.

With a total of 58 nominees in 19 major media categories, from feature films, TV, news, newspapers and magazines, winners will be selected from each category.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi will also be there to accept the Wyler Award for making news on behalf of animals. The award, named after Genesis Awards founder and former Broadway headliner Gretchen Wyler, was previously bestowed on Sir Paul McCartney and Hayden Panettiere.

This year’s event is dedicated to ending the Canadian seal hunt.

If you would like more information about the 23rd Annual Genesis Awards, click here or contact Hollywood@humansociety.org. Or, click here to see a list of this year’s nominees.