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The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions of race and ethnicity. News coverage, films, television, and social media all influence how racial and ethnic groups are portrayed, valued, and understood in society. However, media representations are often biased, stereotypical, or incomplete, reinforcing hierarchies and inequalities.
The media chooses what stories to highlight and how to frame them. Agenda setting refers to the way media outlets prioritize certain topics, influencing what the public sees as important.
Selective Reporting: The media often focuses on crime and violence in communities of color while highlighting positive achievements in white communities. An example of selective reporting is demonstrated by a study that found that Black suspects are more likely to be shown in mugshots in news coverage. In contrast, white suspects are more often shown in personal or family photos.
Framing: The way a story is presented can reinforce racial biases. For instance, protests led by Black activists are often labeled “riots,” while protests by white activists are described as “demonstrations” or “movements.”
Underrepresentation: Many racial and ethnic groups are excluded from mainstream media coverage, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives.
Racial Typecasting
Media portrayals of racial and ethnic groups are often oversimplified, exaggerated, or inaccurate. Racial typecasting is the practice of repeatedly assigning an actor, performer, or individual to a specific role or category based on racial or ethnic stereotypes.
Examples of racial typecasting include:
- Black characters often being cast as criminals, athletes, or comedic sidekicks.
- Latino characters frequently being portrayed as gang members, drug dealers, or “spicy” romance figures.
- Asian characters often being limited to the “model minority” stereotype or martial artists.
- Indigenous people often being depicted as either “noble savages” or completely erased from media.
