Download - Media’s role in bias
A F O C U S O N P R E J U D I C E A N D P E R P E T U A T I O N O F S T E R E O T Y P E S
MEDIA’S ROLE IN BIAS
THEORETICAL RECAP
• Europeans began to create evidence against other groups that existed in the world based on “scientific” data that they (people of colour) were less than intelligent• They used the evidence that they acquired to
justify the mass cleansing/killing of people• They used the measurements of the brain size
and portions of brain function to “create” this idea that inferior peoples needed to be “civilized” and this laid the foundation for future imperial conquests such as slavery
THE JUSTIFICATION FROM SCIENCE
Eugenics: The study of or belief in
the possibility of improving the qualities of the
human species or a human population, especially by
such means as discouraging reproduction by p
ersons having genetic defects or
presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits
(negative eugenics) or encouraging
reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits
(positive eugenics)
Then…As slavery was abolished, the ideas ofWe vs. Them emerged
-Idea emerged that Afro-people couldn’t be civilized at all. -Constantly thought to be inferior and treated through out society in that way
-Some of them tried to break free of these ideas but it is a large undertaking to re-program the mind of those in power
OLD IDEAS…NEW FORMS• These ideas are very old based on
who is inferior vs. superior• Media has used stereotypes that
already exist about people to make their shows more believable or popular
• E.g. Think about who is casted in positions of Power, gang members, single mothers, villains and heroes• They is a colour/race/idea
attached to all of these concepts
THE ADMISSION FROM MEDIA SOURCES: THE GLOBAL TIMES
“The media only shows you what journalists deem important. They create the interest, and the stereotype.
There are so many things happening every day, but only a small number are reported. How is this news selected? And how do reporters write about it?
The mass media recognizes that its audience will only give much of their attention to a few messages, and they like to keep messages eye-catching. So the first rule is to keep them simple. And the second rule is to repeat what has worked in the past.
The media also wants you to come back for more. So the third rule is to use words that create a little agitation so that people will talk about it… ” (Li Haihong, 2013)
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/797261.shtml#.UnG60PlOMSY
HOW DOES PREJUDICE TURN INTO STEREOTYPES?THE 5 STAGES
1) Verbal Rejection: this is when jokes and friendly talking is verbalized and then internalized• “The Asian six pack”
2)Avoidance: contact from groups are purposefully avoided- may lead to discrimination• Exclusion (groups- silent bullying)
3)Discrimination: When people act against their prejudices- like not hiring a particular ethnicity
4) Semi-violence: racist slogans and spray paint is used to intimidate, ruffle or anger groups
5)Extermination: involves the allowance of government to tolerate violence against a group• Genocide such as the Holocaust and more recently Rwanda and Syria
STEREOTYPES• When a blanket over-
generalized statement or view about a group or people is presented
• It becomes a widely believed idea when another event happens to the person and the idea becomes solidified as truth• Media plays a large role in the
reinforcement of said stereotypes through entertainment, print media and ads
We have preconceived notions of groups already– we assume automatically that Snoop is the criminal
AT A GLANCE?
SOCIOLOGIST VIEWSSocialization
• Plays a major part in the “learning” of prejudice etc
• Parents, family, friends and school interactions are the main culprits in teaching inequality and prejudices
• Prejudice as conformity- want to belong
• Scapegoat is the label that is given to a group/person that is singled out to blame in an instance of frustration etc.
• E.g. Blame Youth for Crime (general idea)• There is some truth but the reasons behind the
criminal behaviour is a product of unfair treatment or marginalization is some way• There are other factors at play than just age, race or
gender.
HOW HAS MEDIA BEEN USED TO SOLIDIFY HATE/RACIAL STEREOTYPES
Historically• Nazi Germany Regime• Hitler using print
media, story books, board games, posters and newspapers to teach the up and coming generation about “hate”– creating the enemy in the Jews
• -Video
Present Day• The casting of particular
races, gender etc for roles• characteristics of racial
roles used for entertainment
• Criminalization of certain groups– “Islamapohia “–post 9/11
• Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3e-n8Mj7I
P R O PAG A N DA I N N A Z I G E R M A N Y
DISCUSSION