Race, Gender & Class Representation on Local TV News
For the past six years GRIID has been logging who is represented in news stories, based upon, race, gender and social status. We have been able to document trends in representation and how that can influence public perception or re-enforce stereotypes, bias and who's perspectives are valued through the lens of the local TV news.
Race Representation
With race representation we have documented that those interviewed in local news stories have been relative to the census numbers for the area, or in some cases less than with minority groups - African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Arab American and Native American. Beyond general representation, we have also documented two specific trends. First, minority voices are often race specific. Race specific means that minority voices are limited to issues like race/racism and cultural issues. For example, Native American voices are represented when the news story focuses on a Pow Wow or casinos. However, when the stories are about government, economics, education, the environment or health care the voices are almost exclusively White. For example, in a recent 30-day study of the local TV news (March 29 - May 2, 2005) we found almost no minority business voices. Channel 8 - 36 White business voices, 3 minority; Channel 13 - 47 White business voices, 0 minority; and Channel 17 - 40 White business voices, 1 minority.
Secondly, we have documented that even though minority voices are small in number, there is a high representation of some minority groups when it comes to crime suspects. When the local news stations show images of crime suspects there is a disproportionately high number of Black and Hispanic Representation. Statistically we found in the latest study that while African American only make up roughly 7% of the total voices in news stories, they represent between 20 - 27% of crime suspects. The same is true for Latino/as, which average 1 or less than 1% of all news voices, but range between 9 - 13% of crime suspects. This has the potential of promoting the perception that Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to commit crime.
This data has been consistent with the data we have since 1999. See all reports entitled Racial Profiling at http://www.mediamouse.org/griid/reports.php
Gender Representation
Many of the same conclusions that we found with Race Representation can be draw with Gender Representation. Women's voices tend to be limited to certain areas such as parent, consumer, resident or student, areas that could be considered gender specific roles or more traditional female roles. When it comes to larger issues or policy matters such as business, government, NGO or administrative positions women's voices are fewer in number. This decrease of female voices in higher profile areas is even more severe for minority women. (See recent Data, plus our 2001 study)
Other areas of concern are with how local TV news reports on Sexual Assault and Prostitution. What is noticeable is the language that is used, which tends to focus on women and victims as opposed to men and perpetrators. With sexual assault the focus is on victims with stories often suggesting that women just need to keep doors locked. This puts the focus on victim's behavior and not the perpetrator. It also perpetuates the myth that women are most at risk from strangers, not men that they know. With Prostitution coverage the focus is on women in prostitution not the men. Here it is evident in the language that is used. Women is Prostitution have almost exclusively negative labels attached to them, where as men have more neutral labels, which isn't very often since the men - boy friends, pimps or "customer" - are rarely part of the coverage.
Class Representation
When we look at class representation, upper class voices tend to dominate matters that impact the community. Lower class voices are usually heard as consumers, residents, witnesses to crime, or at entertainment-based events. When it comes to a comparison of business voices to worker voices, the gap is also pretty substantial. Worker voices are generally heard once a lay-off has occurred, but not when economic policy is being discussed. In a 6 months study we conducted between September 1999 and February 2000, there was almost a 5:1 ratio of business per worker voices. When looking at how often labor union voices were heard, it was almost non-existent.
With economic policy, community funding issues and trade negotiations, the perspectives are almost exclusively left to the business sector and a few economic "experts." West Michigan has been hit hard from economic policies and jobs loss, yet not much coverage takes place on crucial economic issues until there is a crisis like factory closings. For example, despite 10 years of NAFTA and the job impact this has had in the area, there has been almost no coverage of CAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement, in the months leading up to a Congressional Vote. When they have reported on it the coverage is simplistic with no local connection.
Race, Gender & Class Representation in Local TV News
March 29 - May 2, 2005
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