News You Can Use: How the News Media Skew Depictions of Class, Race, Poverty in America

Since its advent, television has become the predominant means in which Americans have come to learn about themselves and the issues of the day. But television has done a poor job of presenting some of the most important issues facing America, that of class and race. Gregory Mantsios was correct when he wrote in his essay, "Class in America: Myths and Realities," that the "institutions that shape mass culture and define the parameters of public debate have avoided class issues." (Rereading 319) But he failed to realize that television, particularly the evening news, does deal with class and race but in ways that skew the debate rather than add clarification. 

The news, both local and network broadcasts, tends to perpetuate stereotypes of the underclass and present an inaccurate depiction of poverty. Their avoidance of class issues is driven by a desire to pursue high ratings and the demographics, primarily middle class or the 18 to 49 year old age group, that are the most appealing to advertisers. But, in doing so, not only does the news media help create inaccurate perceptions of class and poverty in America, it also leads the public to want political or legislative answers to problems that exacerbate rather than resolve them.