The News Media: White Savior Mentality

As I read about the news coverage on the Civil Rights movements of different groups, I started thinking that these news media outlets and how they seem to believe themselves to be the "saviors" of these groups.  As though they stood up, against adversity, against prejudice, racism, hatred, and the possible economic downfall of their media outlet in order to provide viewers with the truth.  Larson makes it clear that this belief system of the media outlets is false.  Not only did they not really try to bring about any radical change in the Civil Rights movement in the 50s as they claim, many of the other Civil Rights movements by other minority groups are often overlooked by the media, or only given small, short segments.

It's easy, I think, for media outlets and people, in hindsight, to claim that they were allies, that they helped marginalized people despite the controversy or personal risk.  It's also easy to say that because it was covered at all, or discussed at all, that it means they supported change.  Economically, none of these media outlets would have continuously covered these stories in positive ways if it hurt their ratings and cost them money.  What is probably most disturbing is that they continuously herald themselves as championing these marginalized people of the past, but continue to provide harmful media coverage to marginalized groups in the present.  And they do.  Over and over.

I thought it was great to see Larson talk about specific events that did or did not garner media attention, as well as how it was covered.  I also thought it was very useful how she discusses the studies about how media either reflects societal values or creates them.  It was interesting to see that many of the causes that the media pretends to champion, were causes that until they gained more attention and acceptance, were either ignored or villainized by the media previously.  It's even obvious now in the marriage equality movement.  Companies that previously were not supportive of marriage equality have now jumped onto the bandwagon of supporting marriage equality.  Why? Because their business and advertising requires them to do so in order to not lose business.  But I'm sure down the line that these same groups will claim about their support of equality. It is pretty frustrating.