prev — main — next
SESSION B.4 : EXERCISES

ETHICS AND PROGRAMMING.

CASE STUDY: MULTI-CULTURALISM. B. 4. (d)

The local Health Board have just acquired a house in its own grounds, but in the middle of a large housing estate, to house asylum seekers and refugees.
Some local residents are calling for a mass meeting and protest against this development.


You are on the programming committee and are asked by the news and current affairs people to advise on how to handle this issue.

  • Do you try to support the Refugees while also attempting to see the resident's point of view? Is this possible?

  • Can you ensure that your programmes will include nothing that offends the equal rights of both groups?

  • Can you ensure the residents 'right to communicate' while also ensuring that such programmes do not incite to violence or racism?

  • Can you ensure that your presenters are constantly aware of the terminology that seeks to belittle, denigrate or abuse individuals on ground of ethnicity, race or religion?

  • Can you report the news while developing creative ways to challenge racism and xenophobia?

  • Can you ensure that your presenters in striving for balance do not reinforce stereotypes by unnecessarily emphasising race or ethnicity?

  • Can you un-link the thoughtless associations between incoming minorities and long standing social problems?

    • Discuss and try for a balanced coverage that will assist not exacerbate the situation.

    NB. While finding an acceptable balance is necessary, it is more important for the participants in this case study to reflect on the 'values' they have brought to bear on solving this dilemma. To observe how they arrived at their decision and to consider from where they got these values.

    prev — main — next