Portrayal of Diversity in the Media

Paper Summary:

This paper first makes the assertion that despite the vast ethnic diversity in the United States, non-whites are severely under-represented in mainstream media, particularly television and film. The paper then addresses the issue of cultural stereotypes being presented in American media, specifically in advertising. The paper includes example of such stereotyping in Canadian media. The paper lastly examines how governments happen to be the chief sources of news in their respective governments. The paper argues that as governments rarely represent the interests of the minorities, those minority groups rarely have representation in the media.

From the Paper:

"Another issue that the media must confront with regards to portrayal of diversity is the problem of stereotyping. Apparently, advanced degrees in mass communication are not helping journalists and advertisers to be honest in their understanding of people and cultures. Given the responsibility to relay truthful information to the public; journalists, advertisers and all distributors of entertainment and news across different mediums such as television, newspapers, radio, Internet, etc. should have known that all people and cultures cannot be appreciated through stereotypes. Moreover, through mass usage of stereotypes, the media is creating a mass culture, the representatives of which consider it abnormal to step outside the stereotypes ("Media Stereotyping," 2007). The Media Awareness Network explains the obvious reason for stereotyping before outlining other problems associated with stereotypes:"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Diversity in the Media and Entertainment Industries. (2004). Ethnic Majority. Retrieved Dec 17, 2007, from http://www.ethnicmajority.com/media_home.htm.
• Media Stereotyping. (2007). Media Awareness Network. Retrieved Dec 17, 2007, from http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/index.cfm.
• Ungerleider, C. (1991). Media, Minorities, and Misconceptions: The Portrayal by and Representation of Minorities in Canadian News Media. Canadian Ethnic Studies, Vol. XXIII, No. 3.

More papers on Portrayal of Diversity in the Media:

• Analytical Essay # 57587 : "Diversity in the Media"
• Essay # 61497 : "Gender Portrayal in the Media"
• Analytical Essay # 133456 : "Television Censorship in the 20th and 21st Centuries"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: