Does tv encourage racism?

[Karen]

Do you think tv producers should introduce more ethnic minorities in to programs ie. soaps so that they will have a greater acceptance in society or does the fact that there are only "token black people" in todays programs have absolutely no baring on the matter?

I personally think that number of black actors on terestial tv should be increased to give a more accurate representation of the population.

[mr_grumpy_man]

The "token black person" really gets up my nose... but fortunatly I'm noticing it less and less now...

As for whether TV encourages racism in any way... is entirely dependant on your take on it/biases/religious or social beliefs etc...

Lots of people pronounce things be anti-this and pro-that while all the time they don't care about what they're complaining about just their own agenda.

For example. Does Eminem advocate rape, homophobia and racism? Or is he just a musician doing what musicians do?

And what do groups like the NUS gain from protesting outside his concerts? Publicity - just like the Sheffield Student Union do by banning his music/merchandise. Sad really.

[-[Raven]-]

The world sucks.

Rascism sucks. I don't have any black friends, but I still have nothing against them. They are, after all, human beings.

The internet is the best placed for uncensored freedom of speech. Very little rascism on the internet. Which shows that the rascists don't use the net. Therefore, they're either inpoverished scum, or gutter crap.

Totally my opinon of course. Take it like you want.

[Yowie]

That's an interesting question. However, I don't think it encourages racism perhaps the question should be 'Is TV racist'?

There's certainly a problem. A BBC official (can't remember who he was) said as much in a recent interview. I think his words were 'The BBC is horrendously white'.

This question of racism also poses a number of additional questions:

Why are there so few black and Asian newscasters, journalists and presenters?
Why are there so few blacks and Asians in positions of general responsibility in television, administrative, determining program schedules etc?
What do members of ethnic minorities want from television? Is it independent programmes (or even channels) of their own or do they want more inclusive multi-cultural programming?
How can these problems be solved?

I'm sure there is a level of racism still at work in private broadcasting and to a lesser extent the BBC but I'm not sure that this can be definitively tackled independently of general changes in our society.

People should certainly be selected for jobs on the basis of ability not race.

As for your final assertion, I agree wholeheartedly. It's certainly a solution to some of the problems though unfortunately not all of them.

[Yowie]

I also agree with Raven and the nature of the Internet, long may it continue.

Although I've seen some pretty horrendous racist websites recently. Everyone has a right to free-speech no matter how ignorant and backward they are.

Therefore, they're either impoverished scum, or gutter crap.

Don't agree with this choice of words but I don't want to get into another debate about the nature of racism in our society. Suffice to say it can be found at all levels of society not just amongst the poor and impoverished.

[-[Raven]-]

Fair enough, but I stand by my opinion. People who are rascist are very narrow minded people.

[Jp]

only thing I dissagree with you on Yowie is the amount of "ethnic minorities" for want of a more diplomatic word are pretty much represented on the news, etc. I could run off a long list of news/tv programs programs but they all have a fair mix these days.

[Karen]

I agree, I was a bit harsh when I wrote "encourage racism" but I do think television could do a bit more to break down the bariers. I am one of thoes who believe that what we watch on tv does have some sort of effect on our life. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there should be as many blacks on tv as there are whites, that would not be true representation, this is still a predomanently white country but I'm sure that in a square in the east end of London there is bound to be more than one black family.

[Yowie]

only thing I disagree with you on Yowie is the amount of "ethnic minorities" for want of a more diplomatic word are pretty much represented on the news, etc.

I can understand that.

The BBC has done very well in this regard recently (especially the excellent News24) but not really the other news services. Particularly Sky News which has, as far as I'm aware, not one black newscaster and only one Asian reporter.

I really do think this is an example of what Mr GM calls the "token black person" syndrome.

pffft Rupert Murdoch :)

Also in many cases they report only on minority issues. While it makes sense to have a black, Asian or disabled journalist reporting on issues relevant to their communities there are very few people from a minority background reporting on other issues - world, political, entertainment, judicial etc.

[Jp]

I'm afraid I can't comment on Sky, Digital or cable as I only have terrestrial tv......why pay for fifty channels of **** when five channels have plenty of programs not worth watching! :laugh:

[Easileigh]

Originally posted by Yowie
: Why are there so few black and Asian newscasters, journalists and presenters?


there are more black/asian presenters than whites

[starscream]

I really hate those programs targeted at a paticular ethnic group, for example I will use Goodness Gracious Me - all these jokes are racist, but as they are being performed by the ethnic group they are targeting everythings ok right ? - on a side note the only joke in these ethnic comedies is the fact that they are an ethnic minotity, how many sketches in GGM result in the punchline revolving arouing the fact the characters are asian, Its the same 1 joke running through the entire serious & I cant see how its any better than The Comedians - in fact its worse cos they had jokes from time to time :angry:

[Jp]

I think you used a bad example there starscream, Goodness Gracious me takes the mickey out of everybody, whites,asians, etc.

[-[Raven]-]

I actually find Goodness Gracious Me very funny.

But they are taking a light hearted view, they aren't deadly serious, wanting to go round beating people up and screaming abuse.