Q: Assess the View That Media Representations of Social Class Are No Longer Stereotypical

Q: Assess the view that media representations of social class are no longer stereotypical

The media represents social class as a lack of focuses on the tensions or class conflict which exists within society and has been highlighted by key sociological perspectives such as Marxism. Media through its representation of social class ensures the cultural hegemony of the dominant capitalist class which maintains inequality and exploitation. My essay will answer include how media representations of different social classes are still very much stereotypical and refer back to symbolic annihilation which is a term used to describe the absence of representation, or underrepresentation, of some group of people in the media.

Media representations of the upper class are still stereotypical. The upper class is very under represented and the media rarely portray the upper classes in a negative light, or draws attention to inequalities in wealth or pay. The media represents the upper class as being well-bred and cultured; they are seen as cultivated superiors with posh accents and a taste for shooting and hunting. These stereotypes still remain the same and an example of where this is present is through the coverage of the monarchy and the Royal Family, where they are seen as prestige beings that are superior to everybody else. Nairn (1988) contradicts the idea that media representations are no longer stereotypical because he argues that contemporary media coverage has turned the Queens life into an on-going soap opera, but with a glamour and mystique far greater than any other celeb, which helps reinforce the idea that the Royal family are seen to be better than everybody else. Even though media representations of the upper class are still stereotypical, there has been a change, for example before the upper class were seen as prestige people whose lives weren’t available for the public and only certain events were shown e.g. royal events, wedding, funerals and national...