Does the British Media reflect the modern, multi-cultural nature of British Society?

As society has become progressively more diverse, British media has started to reflect modern multicultural nature through various moving image platforms. Using media to represent this becomes a beneficial way for Britain to convey a vast majority of race and ethnicities and their acceptance in today’s society. Whilst, cementing the stereotyped ideologies where white Caucasian was once valued as the norm.

Public and commercial broadcasters throughout Britain can be portrayed as a strong representation of how the media reflects modern multiculturism. This is mainly because the broadcasters mainly target family audiences within Britain, so therefore broadcast a variety of family television shows targeting s at different ethnicities. Another reason for institutions to target a multicultural audience can be drawn down to the multicultural recent actors/actresses that are taking more of an independent role within gthe most popular shows. Using a vast majority of different races within TV shows can be seen as a way for different audiences to relate to different cultures, whilst being informed and educated about them (Blumler and Katz theory). An example of this would be BBC1’S mystery Drama, Luther. Throughout the seven-part series, the protagonist of the show is conveyed to be a tall black actor who is represented as being the head officer. This can then connote the reinforcement of Alvarado’s theory, as Luther is being portrayed to be an ‘Exotic’ character because of his background. Whilst, the connotation of his name ‘Luther’ could connote a sense of respect and equality as ironically he shares the same name as Martin Luther King. This could then further connote the representation of how Martin Luther King stood up for Black people’s rights, connoting how in society, Black protagonists are quite rare. The idea that the Black Protagonist is a head officer investigating Murders, could create a preferred reading of Luther’s intellectuality, which then Subverts the idea of Todorov’s theory of Character types, as the Black actors are mainly stereotyped as  “The Dumb Sidekick”. This can then also link to how Luther’s assistant is of a  white Caucasian background , further connoting the superiority the black have against the white (linking into Levi Strauss’s theory of Binary opposition). Whilst also , challenging the common stereotype we see in films where the white Caucasian are  take the leading roles.

 During the short clip, Luther is introduced to his new white assistant by a female officer. The first medium shot the audience demographic receives, signifies the distinct difference between Luther and the two other colleagues as they both are represented as white. The way Luther is represented as the only Black person amongst the three that hasn’t been conveyed in working uniform, could connote a preferred reading (Barthes) of his leadership. Whereas, the fact that Luther is wearing darker clothing and owns a black car, could reinforce the representations of Black people being stereotyped as rather dominating. Whilst, the use of the smart clothing and tie could further represent his status in society (by having a high-paid working class job). Therefore, challenging the journalist, Dewsbury’s opinion of Black men not being able to have a certified “good” occupational job.

Although Luther is represented as clever, the institutions don’t fully reveal the kind of persona he has. This could therefore symbolize a sense of enigma and mystery as his appearance can be interpreted by the media as being intimidating. The institutions have done this purposely to allow the audience to presume a negative stereotype of the man. Whilst, then dashing our doubts by his openness and friendly direct mode of address towards his colleagues.  As  the camera then tilts up at an angle, the institutions convey him towering over the two officers as they look up at him. This then further suggests the sense of intimidation, instantly allowing the audience demographic to connote him as Fanon’s ‘Decilize’. However, the fact that he’s the only black character within the scene, could further connote Fanon’s theory of Black people putting on their white masks. This could then be conveyed by his slightly posher British Voice and understanding smiles that he gives to his colleagues (subverting the Perkins theory of how all stereotypes are true). Nevertheless, theirs a strict ‘no nonsense’ feels about him, connoting a barrier between him and his new assistant. This can be further suggested by the way the white male officer, is represented as fairly timid and shy towards Luther. (e.g., lack of mode of address) could connote that Luther has power over him. Conversely, connoting an oppositional reading of him being more ‘decilized’. Especially, as Luther continuously cuts his assistants conversation where he flatters Luther with being privileged to finally work with him. Luther’s character retorts with a hard look of direct mode of address and gets straight down to business by asking him about the new case. This then emphasizes how strong-minded and determined Luther is, allowing audiences to relate to his hard work. Whilst also giving an oppositional reading that he has quite an emotionally detached persona.

In comparison to the series of Luther, this BBC show is the first show along the lines of British mystery Drama to represent a black protagonist. Along these lines are series such as: The silent Witness, which focuses around three stereotypical white Caucasian protagonists. The setting of the higher end of London and the well looked after protagonists symbolize a sense of them being represented as high-class. An example of this is the white female character who although is represented as being quite vulnerable, links to the typical ideologies of ‘Hitler’s’ Blonde hair, blue eyes and Todorov’s ‘damsel in distress’ representation. Also, the indication that the three white characters are working together to complete the investigations. Whilst, Luther is handling them alone, connotes Luther’s superiority and higher intellectual ability. Another show that proves no comparison to Luther’s black protagonist is bedlam, which also focuses on a vulnerable ‘damsel in distress’ white protagonist. Although, she also has a ‘white sidekick’, the Asian ‘helpers’ within the series are represented with negative personas. An example is of the male Asian character that is represented as sex-driven and arrogant. Whilst, the Asian roommate is stereotyped as being a vulnerable kinky character that has been having a sexual affair with her best friend’s father. Both of these ideologies represent the Asian characters as weak, whilst the white are conveyed to be much more superior. This then links with Edwards Said’s theory of Orientalism, the East vs. the West. However, overall, the white protagonists that are conveyed within this genre seem to be represented with more distinctive flaws that the institutions have enabled the audience demographic to pick up on. Whereas, Luther has been represented “with having to whole package deal’, whilst also, being an older independent character that the audience can aspire to be like (Blumler &Katz). This then inclusively reveals how institutions have challenged vast stereotypes and representations and opposed them onto the white, as well as the black/Asian.

 

As well as TV show’s being a good example of Britain reflecting Multiculturalism in society, so can certain events. An example of a globalized event that was channeled on the BBC1 recently would have been the Olympics 2012, where during the first 56.30 minutes of the ceremony, a white British women is being represented driving a mini with her mixed race son. The bird’s eye view shot of the car could be represented as an iconic symbol of Britain as the car was traditionally made in the UK and has been progressively changed and improved over the last few years. This could then perhaps connote the reinforcement over the fact that the car has somehow witnessed the change in society over time, and how just like the car has improved, so has the people.

The concept of white, British blonde women driving an ‘expensive’ mini to her suburban house with her mixed race son is proved to be “unrealistic” to Dewsbury, as these challenges the expectations of how the media would usually stereotype white women as “the typical chavvy dropouts”. Whilst also, representing the stereotypical “blonde hair and blue eyed” ideologies of Hitler. Therefore, the oppositional reading could suggest that her being blonde British women could represent her being more of a “pure” British woman. The perception that the female is represented as educated working class women seems to be more familiar then the black educated, working class father, according to Dewsbury’s ideologies. Stereotypically in the media, Black men have been stereotyped to be’ primitised’ (fanon’s theory), creating havoc and mayhem. Whereas, the fact that the Olympics has represented a black working class father living in the suburban house, further connotes how society’s ideologies have begun to change. As well as the fact that the media has started to represent that the white are no longer superior to the east/black, additionally challenging Said’s theory of Orientalism. This also then challenges Perkins theory of how all stereotypes can be represented as the truth.

During the Olympics, the mixed race boy is represented to be just like any other western child playing with his Nintendo Ds on his way home. Whilst, this then relates to importance of the mixed race boy being dressed in women’s clothes, later within the clip. Additionally, this  could then stereotypically be represented as odd, as within the media mixed race/black boys are represented to be ‘declilized’, and very manly. This could then connote how times have changed and that they can have fun just like anybody else in a safe and calm environment.

 Inside the house conveys a typical nuclear family that consists of black father, white mother and mixed race children. Therefore, challenging the Medias stereotype of a nuclear family as they are mostly represented to be white Caucasian. The family seems to be having a small party, including difference races ethnicities. Consequently, using these different backgrounds, allows the audience to represent the multiplicity of globalization and the assembling of more than one culture.  The sense that the rest of this clip is focused amongst the parents two mixed race girls, dressing up to go partying, could stereotypically be seen as unfamiliar as not many black and mixed race people are seen to represent more positive ideologies of just casual teenagers having fun, in today’s society. Yet, a preferred reading could further connote how society has just become more developed and that we are starting to see significant change. However, an oppositional reading could be that British media represents them as being ‘up to no good’ as they are having fun, taking pictures and wearing revealing clothes. Nevertheless, this also then challenges Perkins stereotypical theory, but also Strauss’s binary oppositional theory, as these girls may be conveyed as “exotic”,(Alvarado’s theory), but not Decilzed or dangerous (as we seen in the media)being  ‘loud mouthed’, ‘Gobby’ or ‘outgoing’. As the dancers start mantling themselves around the arena, music is being played from all the different eras of time. Realistically, a majority of music played, comes from artists who are of a white Caucasian. An example of this is when the dancers put on big white faces of all time rockers. This could then explore an oppositional reading of fanons theory, that the black are having to put their white masks on and that the “universal criteria of beauty tends to be white”. Furthermore, this could then connote a significant oppositional reading as an episode of the music came from a black female artist. The idea that lots of different languages had been portrayed through this appearance connotes a preferred reading of the gathering of multiculturalism, as a vast majority of the dancers are from different races. Another oppositional reading could also be interpreted that the mixed race girls are able to aspire to both stereotypes. This creates a sense of culturalism and conveys how much society has changed as years before, mixed race children weren’t accepted from either background, yet they are encouraged to embrace it nowadays. As we then move closer to the end of this short clip few, another important illustration was perhaps the attraction between the mixed race girl and black guy. This could therefore connote that the joining of the two or more ethnicities and races will carry on and signifies a positive future ahead. Overall, I actually think that by using a mixed race and black actors represents Britain’s multicultural population and shows how multiculturalism is conveyed as “exotic” are becoming ever more accepted in today’s society.

Another example of how British Media reflects today’s society is through the use of children’s programming, such as: The Doctor Who.  The actuality that the institutions are creating a positive view of  globalization and multiculturalism (by the variety of actors/actresses), connotes that they are taking part in forming a new generation which has gained more intellectual ability and mutual understanding of different races and ethnicities. Within shows like Doctor Who, some may argue that British Media has failed to reflect different races, because of the verity that we haven’t actually seen an Asian or Black doctor (leading role protagonist) yet. However, back in 2006, Billy Piper played the Doctors companion. Her character was first represented as the stereotypical ‘typical chavvy white girl’ living on an estate, whilst living off benefits. Her educational prospects were represented as limited, whilst her blue bomber jacket, outgrowing blonde highlights emphasized her ditzy, chavvy persona. As well as maybe even challenging Fanons white mask stereotype by trying to put a whiter mask on her as she strives to fit into being accepted by the classes of society.  However, these factors that would have usually been presumably represented as “chavy” made her seem desirable. The idea that someone can come from nothing but be given the opportunity to become something, gives audience demographics the ideas of false hope. This is then emphasized that although she does presumably get lost in a parallel world away from the doctor, she is the only companion that has won the heart of the doctor. Fanon’s theory can then be reinforced here as he states that “The universal criterion of beauty tends to be white”.

Rose’s character is also represented as having her side kick (who is in love with her), reinforcing the theory of Todorov’s as he was represented the “dumb side kick”. Whilst, also relating to Todorov’s character types as she’s connoted to be “the protagonist’s prize”. The sidekick, Micky is stereotypically black. This then links to Fanons theory of black trying to put on white masks as he is represented to be “a white lower-class citizen” by his use of traditional clichés and the weakness and often distressed character. Yet this representation changed as the Doctor (who was white), changed him in to a warrior who ended up wanting to fight for his country. An oppositional reading could be suggested that this can be connoted negatively as the white doctor had become superior over the black character, whilst the black character is represented as looking up to the doctor as a role model. This can further stereotypically subvert the idea of him being “decilized”. Yet the fact that he blossoms as a character could connote the idea of reinforcing the message of letting anyone race or gender, allowed to be given a chance.

However as the media have changed, in 2010 we were introduced to a new companion, Martha Jones. Martha Jones was represented as the’ exotic’ (Alvarado’s theory) black female character who was training to be a doctor in the hospital. Her desired occupation represents her intellectuality, subverting the ideologies of black women being stereotyped as “uneducated” in the media. She was one of the first to be represented as educated, independent women who had goals and expectations in life. She was able to ask the doctor challenging questions and actually help on him his missions. This could then suggest the connotation  of  Fanons theory of her being ‘primitised’ .Yet , because she was the  only black doctor surrounded by a black family that had been exposed to white girl friends and white back grounds, you could suggest that they had been represented to be conveyed as putting on white masks. An example of this is in an episode where Martha and the doctor travel to the Shakespearian period to help Shakespeare defeat witches who were framing his storylines. Shakespeare takes a liking to Martha who tries to act quite posh, just like the white women she had met from that time. Yet, the fact that she is considered desirable in that era (whilst being a black character) could challenge Fanons ideologies that the universal criteria of beauty tend to be white. The idea that her family also become heroes  in the end, as Martha tries to save the world after the doctor gets defeated, challenges Fanons black stereotyping as essentialised by  giving her as a protagonist, a more independent role where she almost ‘takes over the doctors role’. This then emphasizes the fact that this has never been achieved before. This therefore suggests how the black can also be represented as superior and how just in the last three years, society has changed and has endured part of globalization (which is suggested by the popularity of Doctor Who Globally).

In conclusion, I believe these examples are the starting of representations of a multicultural media. Although the media has embraced these ideas, audiences mustn’t perceive the idea that these representations will be rushed. Gradually, I believe we will see more of a change in society as time goes on. However these representations (especially the Olympic ideologies), connotes the seriousness the institutions and government put into these representations, that could have backfired on them, causing a lot of controversy (like Dewsbury). If the Government can portray the media through a Multicultural format, there is no eligible reason why other various media platforms can’t do the same.

Posted 3 weeks ago by niemah