Rainbow pride in the rainbow nation: the fictional representation of lesbians on the South African Broadcasting Corporation
Date
2009-09-15T11:09:55Z
Authors
Monamodi, Nthabiseng
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Abstract
Diversity of representation is a key principle of the role of the media within a democracy. This
responsibility is of particular importance to the function of a public service broadcaster as it is
required to represent the diversity and the programming interests of all citizens including
minority groups. The South African Broadcasting Corporation is charged with this task as well
as overcoming its past as a restrictive and bigoted state broadcaster under the apartheid regime.
This negative past has forced the SABC to attempt to be inclusive of all groups that were
formally marginalised within the South African society. The minority group that is of particular
interest to this study are lesbians, whose representation in fictional television programmes on the
SABC is critically examined for diversity. These fictional depictions are often reliant on negative
stereotypes, which also encourage a limited form of lesbian visibility in the media.
Through an analysis of two different programmes Hard Copy and Society on SABC 3 and SABC
1 respectively, the fictional representation of lesbians is viewed critically. We see the manner in
which notions such as heteronormativity, stereotype, normalisation, and visibility inform the
depiction of lesbianism in these programmes. This analysis is achieved through the application of
theories of representation and the critical political economy of the media.
A number of conclusions are made. Firstly, the programmes on the SABC in which lesbians are
represented are heavily reliant on stereotypes although they are not always inherently negative.
Secondly, diversity is limited and restricted as some of the roles are not multi-dimensional and
one way in which this occurs is through the relative de-sexualisation of these characters. Finally,
entertainment value outweighs the attempts made to depict diversity in the fictional
representation of lesbianism within these programmes on the SABC.