Introduction
The United Kingdom is an ethnically diverse country; however this diversity is not always reflected in the media.
On TV, film, and on the front of glossy magazines, non-white faces are often under-represented.
Many people confuse ethnicityCan be defined by culture, national customs, language or beliefs. and raceThis can mean physical characteristics that may be related to skin colour or other physiological features..
Ethnicity is defined by cultureDescribes the way of life, behaviours and beliefs of a particular group of people., national customThe traditions and behaviours of a particular group of people., language or beliefs.
Race can mean physical characteristics that may be related to skin colour or other physiologicalRelating to functions and life processes in the body..
Eastenders has a long tradition of reflecting the diversity of British society
The media鈥檚 representation of ethnicity can prove very powerful as it could be the only experience of other cultures that some audiences will encounter.
If all representation of ethnicity in the media were balanced this would not be a problem. However many representations can rely on negative stereotypes which may adversely affect the way others then perceive a particular ethnic culture.