Topic 3 - Media Representations Flashcards
(17 cards)
Different age groups are represented differently in the media
TRUE OR FALSE
True
How is the media gaze filtered ?
Filtered through the eyes of young to middle-ae male adults and this influences the representation of children, young people, and older people
What age are under-represented in the media
Older people
What age are Over- represented in the media
Youths
What age is classed as children and how are they presented ?
Up to the age of 14
- Depicted positively
- Study by children’s express identified 7 prevalent stereotypes in the media :
- Kids as victims
- Cute kids
- Little devils
- Kids are brilliant
- Kids as accessories
- Kids these days?
- Little angels
What age is classed as the youth and how are they presented?
15-20
- Subjects of negative media stereotyping
Often portrayed as a rebellious and selfish problem group in society
WHITE ET AL - more than 40% of youths were dissatisfied with the way they were portrayed on the tv as ‘ disrespectful’ and living ‘unproductive and vacuous lives’
- These representations are driven by news values
COHEN - Young people are relatively powerless so have often been used as scapegoats by the media to create a sense of unity by uniting the public against a common ‘enemy’ which often leads to moral panics
How has the media socially constructed the youths ?
- Since the 1950’s the youth media industry has sought to create youth culture through its media products and this industry has grown and expanded unto other areas
- EG popular music and representation of fashion (eg through magazines)
- This creates a concept of youth and what it means to be a teenager in the uk
- Meaning the media creates the idea of the youths
What age is classed as older people and how are they presented ?
50 onwards
- Either largely invisible in the media or presented in negative ways
BIGGS - UK tv sitcom presented older people in negative ways such as being forgetful and portrayed being old as undesirable and as a burden
What is the link between gender and age ?
- Older men presented in a more positive light
- Few positive images of older women who are often seen as invisible - symbolically annihilated as women are media imagery and are expected to be forever young and youthful
AO3 of older people
Lee et al -
Older people in advertisements are often represented positively as healthy, active people with a wide range of interests, enjoying a ‘golden age’
How does the media gaze filter social class representation
Through the eyes of the rich and powerful upper-class media owners which results in
- More favourable stereotypes of upper and middle classes
- Over representation of the upper and middle classes
How are WC presented?
- Under-represented in the media but when they are represented its often in negative stereotypical ways
4 Main stereotypes:
- Dumb and foolish - BUTSCH
US TV portrays wc as buffoons- immature irresponsible and incompetent - Troublemakers
seen as problematic - Romanticised communities
Tv shows present wc as hard working and community focused - Chavs
seen as worthless and vulgar. LAWLER - describes them as disgusting
How is the mc represented ?
Over-represented - Presented as normal through tv programmes
Dominant - Evident in presenters on tv programmes. JONES described the media as a ‘closed shop for the upper and middle class
Anxiety - represented as being anxious about contemporary society and prone to moral panic
Middle class families are depicted as ideal units in the media and portrays them positively. This reinforces the dominant ideologies of mc normality and legitimises existing class structures and inequalities
How is the upper class represented ?
Most visibly represented through monarchy coverage and portrayed as cultured, refined and superior.
Luxury lifestyle - often featured in tabloids and celebrity magazines
How are ethnicities represented ?
- EMs are under-represented in senior management of the media companies so they are filtered through the gaze of predominantly white middle class men
How does the presentation of Ethnicity lead to stereotyping ?
Ems are often depicted as deviants and law breakers and are frequently represented in the context of drug-dealing terrorism etc.
HARGRAVE- black people were more than twice as likely as whites to be portrayed on terrestrial tv as criminals
Moral panics on black people :
Watson - moral panic of gangsta rap to gun crime
How are different countries represented
Developing countries are often depicted as chaotic, having diseases and famine. The GMG found that British tv coverage focused on disaster and terrorism without context.
Pluralists :
Media portrayals of EMS as reflecting news values. COTTLE suggests that the media encourages audiences to define their identity in opposition to ‘them’
Neo-Marxists - negative portrayals are shaped by the white dominated media, reinforcing racist stereotypes which fuel discrimination and uphold white hegemony
