The Media’s Portrayal of Poverty

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?