TEL 101 – “Representation and the Media”

Stuart Hall video

“Politics of the Image”

· Representation (old view): media is a mirror/reflection of reality

· This view of representation is too literal

· Rather, representation is constitutive:

· Meaning is constructed through representation

· Culture is primary

· Conceptual maps

· Culture is a system of representation: the maps help us remember/think

· Language

· Reality and discourse: nothing meaningful exists outside of discourse

· Meaning is interpretation: no fixed meaning, it is dependent on history and cultural anchors (context)

· Ideology and power fixes meaning

o Ideology: “images, concepts, and premises which provide the framework through which we represent, interpret, understand and ‘make sense’ of some aspects of social existence”

· Stereotypes: symbolic power that attempts to fix meaning based on social groups; producing knowledge about society

· Can positive representations combat stereotypes?

o Problem is that fixing meaning is difficult

· Contesting stereotypes: open up the practice of representation,

· Need to create new knowledge, identification and meaning

Modern Racism

· No longer socially acceptable to be traditionally racists, instead new forms (“modern or symbolic racism”)

1. White Hostility and Crime News

2. White Resentment and Black Politics

3. The “Disappearance” of Racism and the Emergence of Black Authority

Kerner Commission – 1968

· Coverage of the 1967 civil disorders

· Sensational, but made a real effort to be balanced leading to restrained, factual coverage

· Exaggeration of mood/intensity and scale of the events

· Failed to report causes and consequences, and the underlying problems of race relations

· Black residents’ opinions about the coverage

Suggestions:

· Representative coverage: apply more rigorous standards when presenting the news

· More cooperation/communication between police and reporters

· Designate police information/media relations officers and create police info center

· Cater to black audience

· Show blacks as “normal” part of society

· Diversify news sources

· Hire more minorities

· Institute of Urban Communications