Representation in the Media

Representation in the Media

Media texts are defined as representations of reality. They are intentionally composed, lit, written, framed, cropped, captioned, branded, targeted and censored by the producers to create entirely artificial versions of the reality we perceive around us.
Every media form is a representation of someone’s concept of existence which has been codified into signs and signals which can be read by an audience.

Without media forms, our perception of reality would be limited. Audiences need artificial texts to make sense of reality.

Representation is a two –way process: producers create their perception of reality and audiences assess the text on its relationship to reality.
Extension/ Restriction of experience of reality

Media texts extend the experience of reality
Producers of the media text select the information audiences receive so experience is restricted

Truth or Lies?

The influence the media exerts has a major impact on the way we view the world. Media representations can reinforce or shatter prejudices.
Audiences generally accept the fictional extent of media texts. However as we base our perception of reality on what we see in the media we shouldn’t assume that there aren’t any elements of truth in media texts.
The study of representation decodes the different layers of truth and fiction. To fully appreciate representation’s part in a media text you should consider:
• Who produced it?
• What/who is represented in the text?
• How is that thing represented?
• Why was this particular representation (this shot, framed from this angle, this story phrased in these terms, etc.) selected and what might the alternatives have been?
• What frame of reference does the audience use when understanding the representation

Analysing Representation

The factors of representation most commonly addressed are;
• Gender
• Race
• Age
• Disability

Gender and Media Representation

Gender is the basic category for sorting humans and a key issue when discussing representation.
Gender creates essential elements of your own identity and the identity you assume other people to have – what does it mean to be a boy or girl?
Objects are often represented by the media as being masculine or feminine, particularly in advertising. We grow up with an awareness of what constitutes appropriate characteristics.
• Typically masculine – tough, hard, sweaty
• Typically feminine- fragile, soft, fragrant

Representation of Race, Ethnicity and Colour

These comprise of sets of genetically defined, biological, characteristics. There are also cultural elements in these characteristics.
Representation of race in the media can consist of rigid stereotypes similar to those of gender portrayal. Stereotyping of race is seen to be more harmful as media representation may be the only experience of contact with a particular ethnic group that an audience (particularly young audiences) may have.

These stereotypes are often based on social myths which have grown over time. These may provide children with narrow prejudices that will not be challenged elsewhere within their experience.
The priority for political agendas is for more accurate portrayal of the diversity of different races but it will take time for this thinking to filter through to TV programmes and film-making. Hollywood movies are notorious for lazy racial stereotypes.

African-African Representation

Race and Media studies usually focus on the representations of black men and women. The strong African-American counter-culture provides viable alternative role models which should be represented particularly as early racial stereotypes were obvious and offensive.
The success of actors such as Denzel Washington. Will Smith and Halle Berry has meant that black characters are no longer ‘stock’ types.
There are still negative representations of black people, portrayals which seek to incite fear and hatred of other cultures.

Latinos and Asians

Attention is now being paid to the representation of other ethnic groups notably Asian Americans and Latinos who represent a much larger proportion of the US population than their TV coverage would suggest.

Race on UK TV

Racism on TV in the UK exploded as a global issue in 2007 when Shilpa Shetty was subjected to vicious racial slurs by her white housemates. The row reached the House of Commons and became part of a national debate on the undercurrents in the UK’s supposedly multi-cultural society. As a result Channel 4 became very sensitive to allegations of racism.
Race remains a hot topic on UK television, both in fiction and non-fiction programming as it always attracts publicity. It is linked with the immigration issue and national identity. Modern Britain is populated by a diverse range of people so do national media outlets represent different colours and ethnicities proportionally. There will always be heated discussions about how different races are represented and whether these are fair representations.

Case Study: Jersey Shore

The characters of MTV’s Jersey Shore are ethnically Caucasian identify themselves culturally as being Italian-American despite the fact that none of them were born in Italy. The show has created a lot of controversy as other Italian-Americans object to this negative portrayal of their cultural and ethnic group. Within one season the show managed to create a new set of cultural stereotypes and became part of popular discourse.

Representation of Age

After gender and race, age is the most obvious and easiest category under which to file people and there are immediate judgements which come along with that categorisation.
Stereotyping according to age is widespread despite the fact that stereotyping according to race or gender would be considered unacceptable. As a result of this, people go to great lengths to conceal their age so as to avoid harsh stereotypes.

This problem may stem from a youth obsessed media which insists on worshipping beauty (associated with youth) and devaluing wisdom and experience (associated with age) Magazine editors believe that audiences want to see images of only young, smooth skinned models. This establishes youth as the hermogenic norm and when an individual begins to feel that they are deviating from the norm, there is a wide array of ‘age defying’ cosmetics which can remedy this. At a price.

Women are often victimised when it comes to judgements about age and ‘age appropriate’ behaviours, appearance and attitude.
By denying that ageing is a natural living process, you are not acknowledging that tastes and priorities grow and change. An obsession with youth and novelty also means that you disregard lessons of history and devalue experience.

The obsession with adhering to a hermogenic norm has long been the fantasy stuff of literature and film. The mythology that vampires are beautiful and forever young has evolved so much that their physical beauty is valued more than their lack of a soul. We disregard the fact that they are monsters because they are so photogenic.

There is higher visibility of older actors in a traditionally youth orientated media; this is because older audiences demand to be fairly represented in film and literature. UK television has always demonstrated that older characters are just as interesting as younger ones (Grandpa in Outnumbered)

Disability in the Media

Semantically the word ‘disabled’ causes much debate. The ‘dis’ suffix is a negative one and the dictionary defines the word as ‘made ineffective, unfit or incapable’ Quite rightly those members of the population who find themselves labelled thus feel tarred with a distasteful brush
Images of Disability
In magazines the only images of the disabled tend to be in charity advertisements and their disabilities are the main focus of the representation. Often we are encouraged to pity the person represented or give them support in another way. Ideologically speaking disabled is not sexy and does not sell stuff.

Disabled sport is seen as a poor relation to its so called able bodied counterpoint.

In film, disability is seen as a great storyline – one to inspire pity in audiences and gain Oscar nominations from peers (Tom Cruise ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ Leonardo Di Caprio ‘What’s Eating Gilbert) These actors are applauded for their fine performance as if the portrayal of disability is a particularly skilful or dangerous thing.
Genuinely disabled actors do not get major parts in films. Amputees generally get good work in Hollywood, particularly when they are needed to attach prosthetic limbs to.