Empirical Research on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Media - Essay Example

? End of Semester Essay Question: Critically assess the ways in which the British media responds to/interrogates or challenges thenotion of racial and ethnic diversity in Britain? The questions of racial and ethnic diversity have long been discussed and debated across the globe. The British media does not been lag behind in the pursuit of such discussion. British media challenges and interrogates the notions of ethnic and racial diversity. This paper will examine research on media regarding racial and ethnic or cultural diversity in Britain, primarily focusing on visual (television) and print media. The general consensus if that the standards of journalism have greatly improved with regard to the representation of minority groups compared to previous decades. Today, there is broad coverage of matters pertaining immigration, as well as ethnic relations throughout the entire spectrum of print and broadcasting media. Even tabloid newspapers offer substantive coverage to minorities. While nearly three quarters of media coverage entails anti-racist themes, certain newspapers such as Daily Mail adopt an anti-immigrant position that is expressed through images, which stigmatize refugees and immigrants (Hall 2009, 201). Cultural studies and the thesis of racist media Before the period between 1995 and 2000, research on the subject of racial diversity in British media was centred on the use of language and images by media to represent and produce racial diversity within the British society. Cultural studies in the 1980s show that media took a rather racist stance that denied representation of minorities in British media. Race relations were inherently racist, which symbolised the hegemony within the postcolonial era. The media, especially the press were viewed as key culprits in the reproduction of the racist Britain. The implications of a racist media in society, and especially with regard to minority groups are extremely serious (Hall 2009, 199). Because media is a basic opinion former that acts on policy makers, as well as those for whom the policy is implemented, a racist press plays an integral role in strengthening and justification of racism within the society and providing a shield for racist actions, particularly racist violence. Press reporting of matters dealing with racial diversity has been manipulated by popular fear and suspicions, and have also led to the creation of an environment where racist opinions and activities are normalised and upheld. However, the claims that the press is innately racist, and a perpetrator of racism to the degree that is may even be a potential cause for racist violence, are greatly contentious. Empirical Research on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Media In order to escape the tautological suggestion by cultural studies that the media is predominantly racist, it is paramount to refer to empirical studies relating to time, media type and the thematic content of messages carried in the media when covering matters that relate to minorities and migrants. Most commentators assert that there has been widespread improvement in the media coverage of racial and ethnic diversity, especially through improved coverage of minorities and migrants in Britain. A reporter from the Independent newspaper summarises the affairs of media coverage in the late 20th century as follows; many features from the previous domain remain stubbornly in place, aspects of ethnic and racial diversity currently receive extra coverage. These include the depiction of minority groups such as Black and Asians in a racist light (Hall 2009, 206). For instance, Asians are typically considered news worthy it can be shown that they are culturally backward or if they are victims of racism. However, in recent times, the media is blameless of racial and ethnic segregation of minorities as seen during the 1997 British election. It is evident that the media is innocent of charges of production of racial stereotypes and the marginalization of ethnic minorities. In addition, the British media is also appreciative of ethnic and racial diversity as it offers all categories of people of all races and ethnicities sufficient news space to make their individual, political claims. Minorities are especially favoured by the current media situation as they receive significant news space to air their political claims. Furthermore, there is currently greater representation of all ethnicities and races on British television programmes than previous times. However, it is paramount to note that the production of ethnic minority programming has encountered great difficulties, as well as massive limitations in the employment of minorities at senior levels in the broadcasting industry. This is partly due to the growing market-driven commercial pressures confronting independent and public broadcasting. A viable report on the media and its ethnic and racial diversity entails extensive scrutiny of coverage, news topics and media incentives for the promotion of racial and ethnic diversity. News Coverage The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) commissioned a study to provide an overview of levels, as well as coverage of issues that relate to ethnic and racial relations in newsprint and broadcasting media (Hall 2009, 203). The content of analysis encompassed the period between 2006 and 2007 and covered key news programmes and commentary programmes on four terrestrial channels i.e. BBC1 news, C4 news, BBC2 news night, ITN, and satellite channel SKY news. In addition, the study encompassed radio channels such as BBC radio 1, BBC radio 4, IRN news among others, as well as national daily newspapers and Sunday equivalents such as Times/Sunday Times, Mail/Mail on Sunday, and Guardian/Observer among others and two regional dailies i.e. London Evening Standard and Yorkshire Evening Post. The study analysed the main themes of more than 1,000 news items and realised that in terms of the overall coverage levels on racial and ethnic matters in radio broadcasting, BBC radio 4 today programming had more items that appreciated racial and ethnic diversity compared to other channels such as BBC radio and the Independent radio news, which had the least amount of coverage. In television programming, on the other hand, public broadcasting channels’ main TV news programme on BBC1 accounted for the greatest proportion of coverage on ethnic and racial relations, as well migration aspects. ITV’s main news programme had the least amount of coverage for all the aforementioned matters. However, it is imperative to understand it is rather difficult to compare such programmes because all of them have distinct functions with regard to their news agenda, news space and length of time available. Nonetheless, it is quite possible to draw general conclusions. For instance, public broadcasters give greater coverage to matters that deal with ethnic and racial matters than independent broadcasters. This is largely because of the official obligation that defines the conduct of all public bodies under the Race Relations Acts. Secondly, specialised news programmes that have a greater likelihood of being watched or heard by political elite have massive proportions of coverage on such issues than populist broadcasters. With regard to the print media, the same study showed that the Guardian/ Observer have greater coverage of racial and ethnic matters and the Yorkshire Evening Post had the least coverage. This distribution of coverage evidences that broadsheet newspapers conduct more coverage than tabloids, as well as local newspapers (Hall 2009, 204). Furthermore, the high level of coverage of aspects of an ethnic and racial nature by the Observer/ Guardian is indicative of the fact that newspapers have taken an editorial lead with regard to such aspects. These are meant to fit into the newspaper’s individual definition of a liberal agenda that allows the newspaper to cover all aspects of life despite the degree of sensitivity. News Topics Broadsheet newspapers and state television broadcasters typically focus on news topics and themes that touch on people’s daily lives, as well as issues that affect the society, nation and the globe. With regard to themes and topics, broadsheet newspapers and newspapers affiliated to the centre-right model are likely to report on issues regarding migration and societal matters such as immigration and asylum. Centre-left broadsheet newspapers, on the other hand, are likely to be engrossed in reporting on aspects of the civil society such as countering racist activities within the public domain, as well as championing the rights and challenges encountered by the minorities in terms of attaining such aims. Provision of Incentives for promotion of ethnic and racial diversity In Britain, frameworks on regulatory have given great priority to restricting racially offensive items over the last few years. Most spectrums of the media, as well as public relations, have typically established codes of practice (Hall 2009, 204). The public is allowed to make complaints to regulatory bodies regarding issues of negative or even refutable portrayals of race and ethnicities, which are then judged against the codes of practice. Internal complaints within statutory bodies such as the Independent Television Commission (ITC), Radio Authority and British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC), as well as the Press Complaints Commission (PPC) for print media are tasked with ensuring these codes of practice are upheld and met at all times. The establishment of these codes of conduct has been an impressive activity by the Commission for Racial Equality. However, the prosecution of unscrupulous journalists and broadcasters is done under the 1986 Public Order Act, which guards against displaying, distribution and publishing of racially and ethnically abusive content. Nonetheless, these provisions do not necessarily influence the representation of minorities in the media. Conclusion Print and visual media play a significant role in the eradication or surge of societal ills such as suppression of minorities on the foundation of their race or ethnicity. This paper has examined print, television and radio media, describing their contribution to the promotion and challenging of racial and ethnic diversity. It is clear that state-owned media outlets are more involved in challenging backward notions on racial and ethnic diversity than independent outlets. Newspapers, radio and television media that are likely to be heard by the political elite are also deeply involved in the promotion of racial and ethnic diversity and defiance towards the stereotypes of race and ethnicity (Hall 2009, 208). Furthermore, the media fraternity is bound by codes of practice to ensure it upholds ethnic and racial diversity and uses such diversity as a mechanism to bring people together rather than drive a wedge between them. British media teams up with other international media to promote racial and ethnic diversity, as well as improve knowledge and appreciation of minority groups and immigrants. Reference Hall, S, 2009, “Old and New Identities, Old and New Ethnicities”. In Back, L and Solomos, J, Theories of Race and Racism: A Reader. (2nd ed.). London: Routledge. 199-208 Read More