The birth of the McCaughey septuplets in Carlisle more than two years ago brought intense media coverage that created both support and controversy.

A discussion concerning that coverage and how the parents handled it will be held today in a program titled “Septuplets in the Media: The Role Race Plays in Coverage.”

The discussion, which is hosted by the Ames-ISU YWCA, will focus on the extensive media coverage the McCaughey septuplets received in comparison to the octuplets born to Nigerian couple Nkem Chukwe and Iyke Louis Udobi around the same time.

It will be held at noon today in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union.

Judy Dolphin, Ames-ISU YWCA executive director, said the idea for the program came from ISU students involved with YWCA.

“They were surprised that the McCaugheys’ birth got worldwide positive public attention and other septuplets did not,” she said. “It raised questions about race in the media coverage.”

Barbara Mack, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, will be the program facilitator. She will discuss several inconsistencies in media and public relations involving race, class and religion.

“This discussion examines the coverage given to the birth of the McCaughey septuplets compared with the levels of publicity given to other multiple births in the United States,” Mack said.

She plans to discuss how the McCaugheys used the publicity surrounding the birth of their own children to “create a living for themselves.”

“It’s an issue with a ton of controversy,” Mack said. “The McCaugheys used the media very effectively to promote their beliefs.”

In addition to why the white family had so much more coverage than the other family, Mack will cover why and how race plays a significant role in media coverage.

“We’re asking a question that is not often asked,” Dolphin said. “It’s important to recognize our biases to work towards equal opportunity for all people.”

Mack said media coverage of the septuplets continues today along with other important reproduction issues such as cloning, family planning and selective abortions.

The McCaughey septuplets had a “phenomenon effect on many people in Iowa,” and anyone interested in learning how the media works should attend the hour-long discussion, Mack said.

Dolphin invites people of all backgrounds and races to contribute to the informal discussion.

“Mack is a very refreshing speaker who is tuned into the issues of race,” Dolphin said. “She will offer interesting insight.”