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Representation of youth in media
-Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, Tribhuwan University, Nepal
While talking about media and youth. it is important to see representation of youth in media, representation of issues related to youth in media and problems facing youth in media.
There is a conspicuous dearth of literature and data about the socio-demographic composition, including age, of media professionals. Therefore, it is not possible to analyse representation of youth in media on the bases of hard data. There are some publications that provide data about representation on the bases of caste/ethnicity and sex that would help to infer about representation of youth belonging to these groups (Basnet 2001; Bhattachan 1997; Biswakarma 2058; Lal 2058; Parajuli 2058; Parajuli and Gautam 2058; Onta 2058; Yatru 2058).
Sex: Representation of women in media is very low (Basnet 2001; Bhattachan 1997). It is estimated that about 100 women work as media professionals, and of them, about one fourth comprise female youth. A half of them work in FMs, followed by TVs. Very few women, including female youth, work in print media. They all are involved heavily in entertainment and talk programs, which are considered to be "easy" and less demanding. The main reasons for low representation of women, in general, and female youth in particular, include patriarchy, gender discriminations, violence against women, and lack of affirmative action for women and youth.
Caste/ethnicity: There are hard evidences that media professionals are often males, mostly from Bahun-Chhetri castes and some from the Newars (Onta 2058:14). Representation of indigenous nationalities, Dalits and Madhesis is nominal. Representation of Madhesi indigenous nationalities and Madhesi Dalits is almost negligible (Bhat 2058; Biswakarma 2058; Lal 2058; Parajuli 2058; Parajuli and Gautam 2058; Yatru 2058).. Lack of representation of indigenous nationalities, Dalits and Madhesis is due to the ideology, policy and practices of Bahunbad ("Brahmanism"), exclusionary system, racial discrimination, and lack of affirmative action. C. K. Lal (205818) is of the view that "equal opportunity," specialization/merit and biased recruitment criteria are the main means used by the Bahun-Chhetris to continue their domination in both government and private media.
Language: The Nepalese media is dominated by mostly Khas-Nepali language speakers and to some extent by English language speakers. Due to news in several mother tongues in Radio Nepal and radio programs in FMs and private TV channels, media professionals from different language groups are gradually on the rise. Low representation of males and females who speak different mother tongues is due to discriminatory language policy adopted by the constitution of 1990 and the ideology, policy and practices of Bahunbad.
Class: TV media professionals come mostly from upper and upper middle class backgrounds. Media professionals in radios and print media mostly come from middle class backgrounds.
Representation of Issues Related to Youth in Media
Youth, who are in media, are more interested in issues related to themselves than to other age groups. Their reporting and presentations often focus on entertainment and talk programs, sex, psychological issues, crime, life styles, technology, and current events. Media by and large ignore youth issues (Kharel 2001).
Representation of issues related to youth in media are as follows:
Print: Print media, specially daily broadsheets are over-occupied with political news and views, and advertisements, mostly focused on educational and training opportunities for the youths. Most of the news and views are directed to favour status quo or maintaining negative peace, which indeed is a breeding ground of structural and cultural violence. It needs to be appreciated that the daily broadsheets are increasing coverage of news and views concerning elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Print media give some space to the issues of indigenous nationalities, Dalits, Madhesis, linguistic and religious minorities, but these are not adequate. Insensitive news and views towards these groups are published more than sensitive ones. Weekly and monthly newspapers are not sensitive towards such issues. Although indigenous nationalities and Dalits are not yet able to publish their own daily broadsheet, they publish several monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly magazines, which are considered as alternative print media, solely focusing on their own issues.
Radio: FMs (Frequency Modulations) are more "Friends Makers" (FMs) than opinion makers and educators. FMs air mostly entertainment programs, including songs and interactive discussions by accepting telephone calls from their listeners. Mostly female youths are involved in such programs. Also, FM programs have promoted programs in mother tongues, such as Tamanag, Magar, Limbu, Newari and Tharu. Youth from these indigenous nationalities are interested more in promoting their language and culture. It is believed that the Sagarmatha FM try to focus more on educational and advocacy issues. What is good about these FMs is that it involves local youths, specially, females, of the respective areas and focus on local issues, including the issues of the local youth. Radio Nepal airs diverse programs, including entertainment and developmental but involves less youth in its program development and airing the programs.
TVs: Both government run and private TV channels' programs are mostly entertainment, such as songs and dances, interactive programs and cinemas (mostly Nepali and Hindi), followed by political discussions and news. Due to cable television services and choice of many international TV channels and many of their programs, such as MTV, Fashion TV, Animals World and National Geographic, appeal urban teens and youths.
Problems facing youth in media
Some of the significant problems facing youth in media are as follows:
Economic exploitation: Most of the youth in media are interested more in projecting their image in and through media and use it as a springboard for the advancement of their career. They have a perception that they are being exploited economically, they, however, continue to work due to some idealism and also some practical reasons, such as building their careers.
Difficulty in getting job: Rural and middle class youth find difficulty in getting job in TV channels, Radio Nepal and print media. Most of the youth who work in media work hard for little money.
Lack of training: Many youth who work in media do not have adequate training to excel in their professional works.
Discrimination: Youth belonging to Madhesi, Dalits and indigenous nationalities, and females are discriminated in Media. Most of them do not get full time or part time jobs in all kinds of media. If they get full or part time jobs, they are not trusted on their quality of works. Therefore, they are deprived from engaging in serious works.
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