Perpetuation of Stereotypes

How does mass media contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudice in the United States?

Mass media contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes by casting these stereotypes in a negative manner.

For example, a judge for the area I live in recently came under fire by the media and then by the voters due to the negative light that was cast upon a situation.

In my county education is taken very seriously. The judge in recent news is famous for throwing 17-18 year olds in jail for truancy. This does not occur until after he has seen the person before him numerous times. There was a girl that was arrested for truancy after the judge had ordered her several times to attend school. She continued to ignore him. A reporter saw the opportunity for a “story” and ran with it.

After interviewing the girl, the reporter painted a picture in her article of this poor Asian girl that is just being picked on by this holier than though rich judge. This was not the case at all. The judge is firm but fair and did not at any time single out this girl based on her poverty level or race as the reporter stated.

At one point while interviewing the judge, the reporter stated, “Well look, it’s the whole hee haw gang” (Engel 2012). It was clear from the beginning that she had her angle on this story and she was not changing.

Reporters often “make” the story into what they want it to be for the increased ratings they believe they will receive.