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- + Kinshaw voted on the debate The ICC should allow a defence of "cultural relativism" to the crime of recruiting and using child soldiers.
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- + Kinshaw voted on a point for the debate The ICC should allow a defence of "cultural relativism" to the crime of recruiting and using child soldiers.
- + Kinshaw voted on a point for the debate The ICC should allow a defence of "cultural relativism" to the crime of recruiting and using child soldiers.
- + Kinshaw voted on a point for the debate The ICC should allow a defence of "cultural relativism" to the crime of recruiting and using child soldiers.
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MAINSTREAM MEDIA SIMPLY MIRROR THE OPINION OF MAJORITY ABOUT ROMA
Despite the visibility of "politically correct" articles praising Roma Decade and positive practices toward Roma communities, mainstream media are still sceptical about the Roma inclusion and the outcomes of initiatives.
Mainstream media simply mirror the opinion of majority about Roma
Yes, because... They are still reproducing prejudices
"Although the mass media is one of the most useful tools for the promotion of understanding between majority and minority and balanced debate in civil society, it seems that they are still reproducing prejudices via the content of reporting, the roles distributed to minority spokes-persons, and the oversimplification of minority issues. Very often there is over-emphasis on ethnic crime and especially in headlines, links are established between the ethnicity and the criminal behaviour or of her representatives. This is the case also when media talk on numerous social problems of minority, thus stregthening the stereotype that this ethnic group is socially problematic and marginal. " - Valery Novoselsky, Presentation "Shaping Attitudes towards Roma through the Mass Media", Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 29 June 2009.
One of those debates of black or white, where the grey is ignored. So I argue "no" simply to provoke thought. Sure, everyone agrees that the media place prejudicial images of the Roma before the public. It's so easy: follow formula, deliver images that editors will publish, done. If the media are tool, then how to direct that tool? How to reach majority through the media? By placing ineluctable images of Romani who do not fit received idea, but actually shatter stereotype, wrench in historic machinery. That is the purpose of my project romarising, and it worked rather well in the Czech Republic during its run there - and in 12 countries during the past seven years. Suddenly, those in the media who comfortably said that Romani accomplishment was impossible, stumbled, tried to regain equilibrium. They had no way to explain that a Róm could actually be a heart surgeon, accountant, insurance executive, PhD candidate in several fields. If one must be cynical about the media, then the only way to counter their laziness is with images that simply won't dissolve into stereotype. It's time that the Roma take initiative, and find manner to present themselves in positive light. Those who would speak from outside on their behalf inherently will never truly have the interest of the Roma at heart. All of those jargon technical mission statements, all of that ersatz economy of empowerment, none of that is aimed at true emancipation. This, in short, is what we Blacks in the US called "Truth to Power" during the Civil Rights Era. Shouting demands for more cash support is simple addiction to a failing model. There is substantial ability within the Romani community to establish economic and political direction.
Chad Evans Wyatt http://www.romarising.com
Vote on this point: They are still reproducing prejudices
See history of changes to this point
Mainstream media simply mirror the opinion of majority about Roma
Yes, because... Reflecting the opinion of the majority is what the media do.
The mainstream media caters for its customers, who happen to be those who represent the opinion of the majority. Not surprisingly the newspapers and TV stations wish to keep their audience so will publish things that mirror their views most of the time so preventing there from being any controversy. If a mainstream media organisation was to publish a whole series of things that do not reflect the opinion of the majority it would risk losing its viewers/readers and no longer be in the mainstream as the mainstream is what the opinion of the majority makes of an issue. The other alternative would be that the media organisaiton would make itself the story which might be good for the roma as it could mean the majority reappraise their views but would probably not be good for the media organisation itself as it would lose any 'unbias' credentials it may have, and we like to think of the media we watch/read as not being too bias so giving their stories credibility no matter that it is not really true.
Mainstream media simply mirror the opinion of majority about Roma
No, because... Roma Decade
Mainstream society keeps the same pattern of expression: "politically correct" on a very surface - very much sceptical in reality. Therefore, it is not so much different from mass media.
As to these articles being 'politically correct' maybe they are but that does not make it wrong that they are published or do you think they are only published because the media feels compelled to be politically correct? If they are not then I would see it as the media not reflecting mainstream opinion.
Vote on this point: Roma Decade
See history of changes to this point
Vote on this debate: Mainstream media simply mirror the opinion of majority about Roma
Modified:
09 Jun 2010
Point 1. They are still reproducing prejudices
"Although the mass media is one of the most useful tools for the promotion of understanding between majority and minority and balanced debate in civil society, it seems that they are still reproducing prejudices via the content of reporting, the roles distributed to minority spokes-persons, and the oversimplification of minority issues. Very often there is over-emphasis on ethnic crime and especially in headlines, links are established between the ethnicity and the criminal behaviour or of her representatives. This is the case also when media talk on numerous social problems of minority, thus stregthening the stereotype that this ethnic group is socially problematic and marginal. " - Valery Novoselsky, Presentation "Shaping Attitudes towards Roma through the Mass Media", Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 29 June 2009.
One of those debates of black or white, where the grey is ignored. So I argue "no" simply to provoke thought. Sure, everyone agrees that the media place prejudicial images of the Roma before the public. It's so easy: follow formula, deliver images that editors will publish, done. If the media are tool, then how to direct that tool? How to reach majority through the media? By placing ineluctable images of Romani who do not fit received idea, but actually shatter stereotype, wrench in historic machinery. That is the purpose of my project romarising, and it worked rather well in the Czech Republic during its run there - and in 12 countries during the past seven years. Suddenly, those in the media who comfortably said that Romani accomplishment was impossible, stumbled, tried to regain equilibrium. They had no way to explain that a Róm could actually be a heart surgeon, accountant, insurance executive, PhD candidate in several fields. If one must be cynical about the media, then the only way to counter their laziness is with images that simply won't dissolve into stereotype. It's time that the Roma take initiative, and find manner to present themselves in positive light. Those who would speak from outside on their behalf inherently will never truly have the interest of the Roma at heart. All of those jargon technical mission statements, all of that ersatz economy of empowerment, none of that is aimed at true emancipation. This, in short, is what we Blacks in the US called "Truth to Power" during the Civil Rights Era. Shouting demands for more cash support is simple addiction to a failing model. There is substantial ability within the Romani community to establish economic and political direction.
Chad Evans Wyatt http://www.romarising.com
Point 2. Reflecting the opinion of the majority is what the media do.
The mainstream media caters for its customers, who happen to be those who represent the opinion of the majority. Not surprisingly the newspapers and TV stations wish to keep their audience so will publish things that mirror their views most of the time so preventing there from being any controversy. If a mainstream media organisation was to publish a whole series of things that do not reflect the opinion of the majority it would risk losing its viewers/readers and no longer be in the mainstream as the mainstream is what the opinion of the majority makes of an issue. The other alternative would be that the media organisaiton would make itself the story which might be good for the roma as it could mean the majority reappraise their views but would probably not be good for the media organisation itself as it would lose any 'unbias' credentials it may have, and we like to think of the media we watch/read as not being too bias so giving their stories credibility no matter that it is not really true.
Point 1. Roma Decade
This itself would seem to imply that the mainstream media are not always mirroring the opinion of the 'majority' if they are writing some good things about the 'Roma decade'. Given that the media tends to be skeptical about most things (criticism is pretty much their role) it should be expected that the media will probably always be skeptical about the potential for inclusion no matter the realities. So anything bucking that is a good thing. If the Roma were fully integrated into a community would the local newspaper be writing good news stories about them? Probably not, it would point out faults in the integration when it is not ignoring them.
As to these articles being 'politically correct' maybe they are but that does not make it wrong that they are published or do you think they are only published because the media feels compelled to be politically correct? If they are not then I would see it as the media not reflecting mainstream opinion.
Mainstream society keeps the same pattern of expression: "politically correct" on a very surface - very much sceptical in reality. Therefore, it is not so much different from mass media.