Representation Of Homosexuality
How has representation of homosexuality changed in broadcast, print and digital media since the Second World War?
The past seventy one years has seen great developments in broadcast media, in fact many years ago many households didn't even own a television and of those that did, many had a tiny black and white box with limited sound and vision and even more limited programming in terms of channels and broadcasting time. Today we have satellite and cable television, online demand for news, films and a plethora of programming and it’s all twenty four hours a day across thousands of channels.
Similarly print media has expanded incredibly, although printed newspapers and pamphlets have been around for centuries. Today the speed of print and distribution …show more content…
This is because sadly in many parts of the world, especially in the Islamic world, there is no tolerance or acceptance of homosexuality at all. In fact the Muslim religion does not accept it in any way. Therefore any media representation in that world shows no change and certainly no development in terms of acceptance and understanding. In many countries still today, homosexuality is illegal and carries severe punishment and social alienation. It is unlikely that will ever change. A recent example of intolerance and ignorance was by the Russian President Mr Putin at the winter games held in Sochi in Russia. He linked homosexuality to child abuse saying that homosexuals were welcome to come and compete but were not to spread 'gay propaganda' and were to 'leave children in peace'. This broadcast language from such an important and powerful world leader demonstrates a misunderstanding and an unfair view of homosexuals. To link homosexuality with child abuse is wrong. Needless to say Mr Putin controls the Russian media, so I would expect that the Russian media does not give a positive representation of homosexuality.
Representation of homosexuality by these three forms of media has certainly changed and improved for the better, hugely so, but still some stigma remains. Seventy years ago there was no digital representation at all. Broadcast and print representation was scant. Homosexuality was then a sensitive, misunderstood and distasteful subject matter. There is no doubt that there must have been some very sad and difficult homosexual lives lived in the
The past seventy one years has seen great developments in broadcast media, in fact many years ago many households didn't even own a television and of those that did, many had a tiny black and white box with limited sound and vision and even more limited programming in terms of channels and broadcasting time. Today we have satellite and cable television, online demand for news, films and a plethora of programming and it’s all twenty four hours a day across thousands of channels.
Similarly print media has expanded incredibly, although printed newspapers and pamphlets have been around for centuries. Today the speed of print and distribution …show more content…
This is because sadly in many parts of the world, especially in the Islamic world, there is no tolerance or acceptance of homosexuality at all. In fact the Muslim religion does not accept it in any way. Therefore any media representation in that world shows no change and certainly no development in terms of acceptance and understanding. In many countries still today, homosexuality is illegal and carries severe punishment and social alienation. It is unlikely that will ever change. A recent example of intolerance and ignorance was by the Russian President Mr Putin at the winter games held in Sochi in Russia. He linked homosexuality to child abuse saying that homosexuals were welcome to come and compete but were not to spread 'gay propaganda' and were to 'leave children in peace'. This broadcast language from such an important and powerful world leader demonstrates a misunderstanding and an unfair view of homosexuals. To link homosexuality with child abuse is wrong. Needless to say Mr Putin controls the Russian media, so I would expect that the Russian media does not give a positive representation of homosexuality.
Representation of homosexuality by these three forms of media has certainly changed and improved for the better, hugely so, but still some stigma remains. Seventy years ago there was no digital representation at all. Broadcast and print representation was scant. Homosexuality was then a sensitive, misunderstood and distasteful subject matter. There is no doubt that there must have been some very sad and difficult homosexual lives lived in the