MS1 exam: representations; Britain

Representations of nation; Britain 

Question - Explore the ways in Britain is represented in the media today?

In this essay I will be writing about how the media represents Britain as a nation.

Media has a varied portrayal of Britain, both positive and negative. One view of Britain is conveyed through stereotypes that can be either good or bad. A negative stereotype Britain is infamous for is the 'chav' ideology. Media outlets show this supposed group of people as scrounging off the welfare state and being anti-social. Through news articles, the encoder skews the view of this group of people to be negative. The media can be so strong with their views that it creates intentional approach, where our understanding of reality is created by representations . As the decoder, we believe tracksuit-clad chavs are scum because of the way newspapers portray them. An example of a chav's negative image is Vicky Pollard from the Little Britain sketch show. Chavs are made a mockery of through Matt Lucas' representation. They're shown as crass, unemployed and loud with no respect for the law, using benefits to fund their drug habits. This portrayal overall shows this so called 'chav subculture' as the rabble they are shown to be, further creating a false representations of Britons.

A more positive representation of Britain and her male population  is through the typical English gent stereotype, a la Hugh Grant. The conveys the stereotype that Britons are posh, awkward and at odds with their emotions. Adding to this representation, they're portrayed as being humorous in a self-deprecation manner and well-educated. An example would be many of Grant's roles, including Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Grant is normally type casted in these roles as it's easily recognisable to the audience, who'll rely on their stereotyped view of Britain. This will only add to a decoder's perception.

Another way the media represents Britain is through imagery. One not from Britain could easily assume the country is just rolling hills and idyllic scenery. This view is a construct the media has created for its own fiscal purposes. An example of this is the cover of British Planner, a magazine that is the official guide to the nations and regions of the United Kingdom. Its cover is centred by a beautiful church surrounded by grassy plains. British Planner among others cleverly use this moulded representation of Britain for its advantage as these scenes attract tourists who in turn bring money.

However a more negative construct the media has painted for Britain's landscape is inner-cities ravaged by high crime rates. This is shown through texts like Bullet Boy and Kidadulthood, these films portraying the grittiness of London suburbs. This portrayal is negative as the general public may start to believe that everywhere is like what they're shown when realistically this is not the case. Populating these districts are the yobbish teenage hooligans that bring calamity wherever they go. These archetypes are used to create a shortcut to help an audience understand scenarios better. Britain is negatively represented by these false impressions. The media chooses to represent locations like for their own purposes, in most circumstances these being politically.  

In conclusion Britain is represented both positively and negatively by the Media. Yet it is down to us as the consumer to decide whether we believe everything the media chooses to show people and places as.