Accentuate

Kristina Veasey

In the year before I got rid of my telly, some 8 years ago now, I had whittled down my viewing to include only what I considered to be the more factual programmes (nature docs etc) and the more seemingly independent and unbiased news reports. However, it was after watching 20 minutes of green screen and occasional smoke set to the intermittent crackle of gun fire that was Channel 4's daily report on the Afghanistan war that I finally lost the will to live in a tv-led world. There was little point to what was being broadcast, no challenging of views or decisions, not even any real reporting of events or facts and certainly no looking at underlying issues or the effects on those involved. So with a ceremonious cutting off of the plug we banished our tv to the confines of a dark dark cupboard.

The telly has long gone now but it seems the obsession of our nation to have one remains (even the tv licensing people have demanded evidence proving we don't have a telly because they can't get their heads round the fact we just don't want one!) . Don't get me wrong, I think tv is a really useful medium and on occasions allows people to really shine and to meaningfully benefit millions even if it's just a case of pure entertainment. It's just that for the bigger issues, where this medium could really work and change minds and promote positive values and human rights, the whole thing falls flat. Not many seem to challenge what they are being spoon fed. It is such a powerful conduit, the media, but in terms of informing people about minority and unrepresented groups it can be more of a facilitator and inciter of mistrust, prejudice, misinformation, and apathy. In these terms it's like fast food provision for mass consumption - throw-away and un-nourishing.

For a long time now I have used media portrayal of disabled people as a section in my equality training. Looking at imagery and language is an easy way of highlighting the attitudes and prejudices held by those around us that continue to reinforce discrimination and exclusive practice in our society. The times I watch films, particularly US films, I wince every time the term 'retard' is used and I wonder just how many other people have watched these same films and not even noticed the language used, let alone thought about it, questioned it or challenged it. Of course it is not just about language but concepts and values. I could go on all day outlining the negative effects of stereotyping, and the damaging, half-hearted attempts to 'champion' disabled people as 'heroes'. And what of the effects of our more recent comedies, the taking the piss out of disabled people in an attempt at irony for an audience that still, for the most part, just doesn't get it?

Colin, I think your article is insightful and raises all the right questions. I'm afraid for me, whilst obviously not actually having seen the programme, I can only imagine what it might or might not have addressed. Perhaps it's a start, perhaps it will get people thinking, perhaps it is an insult and it won't. Perhaps I'm just rolling my eyes at the paltry effort you suggest they made in contrast to the opportunity they had to make a difference, whilst hand on heart thinking thank god I don't have a telly!