Representations of ethnicity in the media

Question 1

In the past black people were…

Answer 1

• Stereyotyped in a neagtive way

- Shown to be criminals, singers, dancers, sports people or musicians = marginalised

Question 2

Evidence

Answer 2

• 1 in 6 non-white in the UK
• 100 most important people by media 3/100 = non white
• NUJ = 94% of journalists are white

Question 3

Hall

Answer 3

• Narrow range of roles
• Native = inferior to whites
• Entertainer = fun loving
• Slave = low intelligence

Question 4

Islamaphobia

Answer 4

The fear, prejudice or hatred of muslims

Question 5

Van Dijk

Answer 5

• Confirms that news representations of black people can be categorised into several types of stereotypically negative news
• We can be objective/scientific rather than saying the media is bias

Question 6

Van Dijk’S findings

Answer 6

• As a threat = immigrants only want to live in Britain for fraudulous welfare
• As abnormal = arranged marriages, wearing a hijab
• As dependant = Self inflicted problems, result of stupidity, too many babies, corruption

Question 7

Tokenism

Answer 7

• Form of under-representation
• Minority groups presented at a token level
• Fit in with the dominant group
• Creates an illusion of equal representation
• Ethnic minority groups were hostile, rarely shown as ordinary

Question 8

Marxist - scapegoats

Answer 8

• Argued there was a moral panic over mugging, study called ‘policing the crisis’
• Instead of discussing issues with equality people were concerned with being mugged - a media created fear

Question 9

How are scapegoats are marxist view?

Answer 9

Because we aren’t talking about capitalism, ethnic minorities are intentionally being used as scapegoats

Question 10

What would neo-marxists say? (Hall)

Answer 10

Background of journalists being white, male and middle class means they don’t challenge the status quo - scapegoats

Question 11

Changes in the portrayal of minority ethnics - pluralists

Answer 11

The media mirrors reality and is a reflection of society

Question 12

Stephen Lawrence

Answer 12

The murder was positively exposing racism and the death received high-profile coverage on TV and press, this supports the pluralist view

Question 13

Evidence of change - 360degree

Answer 13

• Channel 4 has a big reputation for diversity
• accountable
• Do more to reflect Britain
• Show ethnic minorities in leadership diversity