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WHAT IS RACISM? Racism is the belief that skin colour determines intelligence, criminality and values. Racism is a common feature of Canadian society and is often used to justify the mistreatment of groups of people. Racism is all the more dangerous when groups have the power to enforce discrimination through legislation, education and in the labour market. RACISM IN THE MEDIA The electronic and print media provide powerful images of the world and many Canadians treat this information as "the truth". However, bias in the media has resulted in prejudice, discrimination and hatred based on skin colour, ethnic origin and religion. While human rights statutes, the Criminal Code and government regulations have recently been developed to help prevent most forms of overt or explicit racism, it has not been eliminated, although the "new" racism may now be harder to pinpoint or identify. The following highlights how the media may continue to perpetuate racism. Racist descriptions: defining the racial background of a person suspected of committing an offence or a crime when no racial description is given when the offender is not from a minority group. Stigmatizing groups: using derogatory language when describing a group or a person from a minority group. This often appears through the use of language - language that would not be acceptable for a member of the majority. Racialization: implying that a person's actions or behaviour arise from his or her skin colour or supposed "racial" background. The colour of a persons skin is not responsible for how a person acts. Nor does skin colour cause crime. Irrelevant information: the media often provides trivial information about minority cultures that incites hatred or contempt. Creating doubt: minority spokes persons are often not treated with the same respect and courtesy as others. For example, placing information in question by using quotation marks and words such as "alleged" can make readers wonder about the credibility of minority people when such comments or quotation marks would not be used in other cases. Using stereotypes: common stereotypes in the media describe immigrants from particularly countries as "illegal aliens" or "bogus refugees" when they are not. Us versus them: stereotypes about groups can create an "us versus them" tone that implies that all members of minority groups are criminals, deviants and threaten "our" society. Selective reporting: featuring people of colour only in stories that deal with crime or social unrest. This contributes to a negative view of people of colour and is a form of discrimination and racism. WHAT CAN I DO IF I SEE RACISM IN THE MEDIA? One of the most effective ways to help stop racism is to let whoever is responsible know what you think. And the more people who complain, the more powerful and effective that message will be. Complaints about racism in the media should address the four "w"s: who, what, when and where. In other words, write down the date, time, name of the show and the station or network. Print Media If the item is in print (newspaper or magazine), cut it out and note the source, the date of publication and the name of the publisher. Write down the details of the story, the people concerned and why you consider it racist. Send this information to the publisher and copy it to an anti-racism media watch group (see the list of organizations below). If you are not satisfied with the publisher's response, you can send your complaint to: B.C. Press Council Box 3596, Main Post Office Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3Y6 The Press Council is a voluntary organization of newspapers in the province of British Columbia and not all newspapers are members. The Council will not intervene unless you have already complained to the publisher in writing. Broadcast Media If the story was on the radio or TV, you should send your complaint in writing within 30 days as most stations keep logs of their programs for a shore period of time. Send your letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) at the following address: Director General, Western Regional Office CRTC 13890-300 Burrard Street Box 1300 Vancouver, BC V6Z 2G7 Send a copy of the complaint to an anti-racist media watch organization. You may also wish to send a copy of your complaint to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) or to the Canadian Broadcast standard Council (CBSC) at the addresses below. Ninety percent of all broadcasters belong to CAB, although the CBC, specialty pay channels and some cable companies are not members. The CBSC handles public complaints against CAB's member stations. Canadian Association of Broadcasters P.O. Box 627, Station B Ottawa, ON K1P 5S2 Phone: (613) 233-4035 Canadian Broadcast Standards Council P.O. Box 3265, Station D Ottawa, ON K1P 6H8 Phone: (613) 233-4607 Advertisements If an advertisement is racially biased, send your complaint to: Canadian Advertising Foundation 350 Bloor Street E., Suite 402 Toronto, ON M4W 1H5 Phone: (416) 961-6311 Acting Collectively The following are some strategies for collective action:
LAWS AGAINST RACISM IN THE MEDIA The following statutes and regulations can be used against racial bias in the media. British Columbia Human Rights Act Section 2(1) states: No person shall publish, issue or display or cause to be published, issued or displayed any statement, publication, notice, sing, symbol, emblem or any other representation that (a) indicates discrimination or intention to discriminate against a person or a group or class of persons or (b) is likely to expose a person or a group or class of persons to hatred or contempt because of the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation or age of that person or that group or class of persons. CRTC Regulations Respecting Television Broadcasting Section 5(1) states: A licence shall not broadcast (a) anything in contravention of the law; (b) ny abusive comment or abuse pictorial representation that, when taken in context, tends or is likely to expose an individual or a group or class of individuals to hatred or contempt on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability; (c) any absence or profane language or pictorial representation; or (d) any false or misleading news. Criminal Code of Canada If the coverage incites hatred against particular groups you may refer to section 281.2 of the Criminal Code; (1) Everyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable groups where such incitement is likely to leas to a breach of the peace is guilty of (a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for two years; or (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction. (2) Every one who communicates statement, other than in private communication, wilfully promotes hatred against any identifiable groups is guilty of (a) an indictable offense and is liable to imprisonment for two years; or (b) an offence punishable on summary conviction. However, this section can only be used with the consent of the Attorney General. Section 281.3 of the Code also provides measures to deal with hate propaganda, which it defines asany writing, sing or visible representing that advocates or promotes genocide or the communication of which by a person would constitute an offence under section 281.2 Community Resources Anti-Fascist Info Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society Committee For Racial Justice Institute for Cultural Studies contact Dr. Jasmine Jiwani, Director CAERS greatfully acknolwedges the generous finciancil support of Legal Services BC to produce and print this brochure. @ 2007 Canadian Anti-racism Education and Research Society |