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The Media’s Portrayal of Poverty

The Media’s Portrayal of Poverty. The Face of Poverty. The face of poverty has been continually changing. Media coverage of poverty during the 20 th century was a “story of big blips on a blank background.”

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The Media’s Portrayal of Poverty

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  1. The Media’s Portrayal of Poverty

  2. The Face of Poverty • The face of poverty has been continually changing. • Media coverage of poverty during the 20th century was a “story of big blips on a blank background.” • The Great Depression in the 1930’s provoked intense coverage of poverty for a limited period of time. • Coverage in the 60’s was the second blip and the third came in the 80’s. • Within the last few years media coverage of poverty has been steady. • Needed to keep the issue alive.

  3. Who Has the Face of Poverty? • In the 1960’s was the white poor man in the “hollars of Appalachia.” • In the 1980’s, the face of poverty was a Cadillac-driving “welfare queen,” almost always Black. • Today, the face of poverty is mostly portrayed as urban Black.

  4. Two Stereotypical Ways of Media Portrayal of Poverty • Sentimental • The story is usually written by information obtained from an interview. This interview would be with someone such as a woman who cannot do any wrong. She heroically works to keep her kids fed, clothed, educated and clean, etc. • The source of poverty is entirely societal. • Sensationalist • This coverage depicts the poor as the dangerous criminals, drunks and drug addicts with no morals.

  5. So How does the Media Portray Poverty? • Not as people, but as a problem • Uneducated/uninformed • Third World Countries • Lazy or undeserving of wealth

  6. What are some ways the media can be more fair? • Become less negative • More representative

  7. Poverty in the Media Television Programs Movies • Rosanne • Cops • Jerry Springer • Teen Mom • Reality Repo programs • Cinderella • Angels in the Outfield • The Notebook • Titanic • Overboard • Slumdog Millionaire • The Blindside • Precious • The Soloist

  8. Poverty in the Media Continued… • Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory • Aladdin • A Raisin in the Sun • Coal Miner’s Daughter • To Kill a Mockingbird • In America

  9. Some Questions for Thought • Does it matter how the media portrays poor people? • Are “poverty” and “poor” even the right words? • Should charities engage with the media on this issue? • How would it feel to be portrayed in one of these programs?

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