Ethnic Minorities Criticise TV And Radio Stereotypes
Audiences from minority ethnic groups have complained about negative stereotypes and over-simplified portrayals of their communities on television, in a new report published by broadcasting regulators.
However, programmes such as Ali G, Goodness Gracious Me and Coronation Street were praised for taking steps in the right direction.
The report, Multicultural Broadcasting: Concept and Reality, has been released by the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority to examine attitudes towards multicultural broadcasting from the perspective of audiences and from within the TV, radio and advertising industries.
All those questioned from minority ethnic groups said their country of origin was not represented at all or was negatively portrayed. There was also a sense that there was not enough coverage of events about their countries.
Audiences said that mainstream broadcasters had a social duty to include authentic and fair representation of minorities, and Channel 4, BBC1, BBC2, Choice FM and Kiss 100 FM were commended for broadcasting minority interest programmes. However, specialist services, available on radio or via cable and satellite television, were most valued by people from ethnic groups as they allowed them to maintain contact with their countries of origin. They were also felt to provide more balanced coverage of news from their countries.
There was a perception amongst broadcasters that there has been an increase in the amount of representation on-air and a growth of programming which is relevant to ethnic groups. However, 69% of representatives from the television industry said that the perspectives of ethnic and racial minorities were not featured enough, with 49% of the radio sample agreeing.
Both audience and industry groups felt that a significant amount of progress has been made in the last five years and that there still needs to be better representation of minorities both on screen and behind the scenes in decision making roles. However, there was an overwhelming feeling in the advertising industry that advertising was a commercial activity and that commercial activities took priority.
Commenting on the report, Paul Bolt, director of the BSC, said: “This research deals with varied attitudes and aspirations within the differing media sectors and amongst their audiences. It clearly analyses the various aspects of multicultural broadcasting: programme services which meet the particular needs of all sections of British society; mainstream output which reflects the full range of British life; media management which itself reflects the nation’s diversity. The report shows where things are now and what can be done in developing future policies.”
Last month the ITC and the BSC released a study showing confirming the long-term reduction in audiences for television and radio news, along with a well-logged decline in the use of newspapers (see Regulators Say Communications Bill Must Protect TV News).
BSC: 020 7233 0544 www.bsc.org.uk ITC: 0207 306 7743 www.itc.org.uk Radio Authority: 020 7430 2724 www.radioauthority.org.uk
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