REPRESENTATION THEORY - STUART HALL

• Representation is the the way in which meaning is given to the things depicted.The media often uses stereotypes which reduce a group of people to a few small minor characteristics.
• Stereotypes come about when people are in power from the dominant hegemonic groups within society such as:-

             White middle/upper class rich heterosexual males 
• Newspapers that are owned by this hegemonic group of white middle/upper class heterosexual males then represent people outside their own group in very stereotypical ways e.g. women or ethnic minorities or gay are represented as negative stereotypes. This is because there are very few gay men or women or people of colour at the top of the big media industries.The owners of the product are often therefore the reason for the stereotypes.
• Ethnic Minorities are often portrayed as dangerous or criminal
• Stereotypes are compiled from the dominant Hegemonic groups.
• Everything in the media is given meaning through how media producers represent them
• Why do hegemonic groups do this?

  To keep their position in power solidified, and keep minorities away from their power.