Race, Myth and the News

by Christopher P. Campbell

• ISBN13: 9780803958722
• ISBN10: 0803958722
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-02-28
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

How are the perceptions of the majority culture, the 'preferred readings', reflected in television news? How do they reinforce stereotyped attitudes on race? This interpretive analysis presents evidence of racism, including under-representation, within news texts. The author examines the values, traditions and practices of news production that, often unconsciously, serve to maintain the alienation of racial groups in society. While the focus is on local television news in the United States, Race, Myth and the News has a broad relevance to studies of culture and race.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
1. Introduction	1	(10)
2. Common Sense, Myth, News and Racism	11	(24)
News, Myth and Common Sense	14	(8)
Contemporary Racism and the Mass Media	22	(13)
3. A Myth of Marginality: Traditional Racism and the News	35	(24)
"Old-Fashioned" Racism and Minority Invisibility	37	(5)
"Everyday" Racism and News Coverage	42	(15)
Summary	57	(2)
4. A Myth of Difference: Racial Stereotypes and the News	59	(26)
The "Positive" Stereotype: African Americans as Entertainers and Athletes	62	(7)
The "Negative" Stereotype: Minorities as Criminals	69	(13)
Summary	82	(3)
5. A Myth of Assimilation: "Enlightened" Racism and the News	85	(28)
"Modern" Racism, Class and the News	89	(4)
"Enlightened" Racism and Coverage of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday	93	(17)
Summary	110	(3)
6. Race, Myth and the Newspaper: How the Daily Press Covered King Day	113	(18)
Syracuse Herald-Journal and The Post-Standard	116	(4)
The Phoenix Gazette	120	(2)
The Columbus Dispatch	122	(1)
The Times-Picayune	122	(4)
The Billings Gazette	126	(1)
Summary	127	(4)
7. Conclusion	131	(6)
Appendices	137	(22)
A. Alphabetical Listing of TV Markets Included in Study	137	(3)
B. Race of Journalists Who Appeared on Camera	140	(1)
C. Transcript of Laurel, MS, King Parade/WDAM	141	(2)
D. Transcript of Lee Tribute/WDAM	143	(2)
E. Transcript of Spearfishing/KARE	145	(4)
F. Transcript of New Orleans King Day Coverage/WWL	149	(4)
G. Transcript of Phoenix, AZ, King Day Coverage/KTVK	153	(2)
H. Transcript of Billings, MT, King Day Coverage/KTVQ	155	(4)
References	159	(8)
Index	167	(6)
About the Author	173