2001/2002 PCERII Funded Research Abstract

This project analyses the representation of immigrants/people of colour in national and local television news coverage in Canada. It focuses on the complex linkages between everyday language and representations, public discourse in the media and the construction and maintenance of racism in Canadian society. A central question informing this project is: Does television news selection and coverage of national and local issues and events represent the views and values of a largely white, male world that neither represents nor serves the interests of a multicultural, multiracial population? While this subject has been the focus of some research in the print media, there have been few studies of television undertaken in Canada.

A database of video taped news telecasts, both local and national, will be constructed for selected time periods. The data will be analyzed using quantitative and qualitative measures including the development of a check list of topics of analysis that might include, for example: crime, immigration, Aboriginal issues, cultural events etc. Data will also be gathered on the gender, race and ethnicity of news readers and reporters. Qualitative measures include the use of discourse and critical discourse analytic methodologies. The latter is a research tool to identify and deconstruct the hidden meanings and messages in news discourse itself. The analysis should answer questions such as are the representations of immigrants and people of colour exoticized, essentialized , and portrayed as problem people? The qualitative analysis will also include detailed examination of discoursive practices used in news broadcasting such as the linguistic/semantic structures and rhetorical strategies in news coverage.