MEDIA STEREOTYPE

Media Stereotyping  Media stereotypes are inevitable, especially in the advertising, entertainment and news industries, which need as wide an audience as possible to quickly understand information. Stereotypes act like codes that give audiences a quick, common understanding of a person or group of people—usually relating to their class, ethnicity or race, gender, sexual orientation, social role or occupation. But stereotypes can be problematic. They can: reduce a wide range of differences in people to simplistic categorizations transform assumptions about particular groups of people into "realities" be used to justify the position of those in power perpetuate social prejudice and inequality More often than not, the groups being stereotyped have little to say about how they are represented. This section comments on common media stereotypes and examines some of the root causes of stereotypical portrayals, including lack of diversity behind the scenes in newsrooms and film studios. The section explores the impact of stereotyping on self-image and the development of attitudes among the young, and it showcases efforts to counter stereotyping with alternative programming. It also outlines diversity guidelines for the broadcasting industry, as well as government policies to promote fair and equitable portrayals in Canadian media. For further information and research, each of the sub-topic sections below also offers a continually updated selection of pertinent articles, reports, surveys, statistics, and Web sites. AND the media portrays such as.......... Ethnic and Visible Minorities This section examines the representation of minority groups in the media industry—both onscreen, in sitcoms and news reporting, and off-screen, in terms of hiring practices. It also looks at Canadian government policies and broadcasting industry codes that encourage diversity. Aboriginal People This section examines media attitudes to First Nations, Inuit and Native American peoples - from early films and television to today's coverage and portrayals. The section looks at the effect on young people's attitudes of seeing Aboriginal people shown primarily in cartoons or as sports mascots; and it also discusses the development of Aboriginal broadcasting in Canada. Girls and Women This section explores female stereotypes in entertainment and news media, including onscreen portrayals of women, their effect on cultural ideas of beauty, and how these stereotypes influence the social development of young women. The section also examines the economic interests that drive media attitudes towards women. Men and Masculinity This section examines common stereotypes of masculinity on TV, in men's magazines, and in advertising and sports media. It discusses society's definitions of male roles and attributes, and the effect that media portrayals have on men's (and young people's) notions of what masculinity means. Gays and Lesbians This section offers a brief overview of how gays and lesbians are portrayed in the media: the evolution of gay portrayals in film, issues related to gays and lesbians in television, and how advertising and news coverage treat gays and lesbians. Whiteness and White Privilege This section explores the social norms and expectations associated with being white—including the media's tendency to accord respect and authority to white people, especially from the middle and upper classes. Onscreen and behind the scenes, white privilege (along with male privilege, and "straight" privilege) fosters a climate of systemic discrimination that tends to exclude many diverse views from the media. Persons with Disabilities This section examines common stereotypes of persons with disabilities in mass media and the news. It discusses concerns about media representation of disability, including lack of participation, as well as looks at solutions to better represent persons with disabilities.