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Media Representation GapFill
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The term is used to describe overused and oversimplified representations of people and social groups in the media. The construction and of these in television has traditionally occurred because of the people who possess power within the industry. We might describe the producers who create these as . They have historically reinforced these representations in order to maintain (the widespread promotion of ideas and beliefs which are valued by the most powerful individuals in society). In turn, the social groups who are misrepresented by these industries, e.g. teenagers, the working class, might be described as .
'An Unearthly Child' was broadcast at a time in which these kinds of representations were quite common. It is certainly clear from watching the episode that power and representation in the industry were concentrated in people who were , middle-upper class and spoke with accents. This results in an issue of , particularly for ethnic minorities and the community. There are surprisingly few examples of offensively simplistic representations in the episode. One could argue that by making the elderly male the most resourceful and intelligent of the characters, the producers have spread the idea that figures should always be followed and listened to. Furthermore, the brief interaction between the school students leaving Barbara’s classroom is arguably an oversimplified representation of both and teenagers. However, there are other ways in which the representation of teenagers was for the time. Susan is extremely intelligent and central to the unfolding of the narrative. When she argues with her grandfather, her concerns are depicted as being relevant and understandable.