Report brands soaps "too white"

[Perdita]

There is no thread for general soap stories, this applies to all, hope it is ok to put it here as Corrie is mentioned.



A new report has criticised soaps for failing to represent ethnic viewers and creating stereotypical characters.

Five soap Neighbours was singled out for being "all white", while Coronation Street and EastEnders were attacked for having Asian shopkeepers and black single mums.

Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said broadcasters were "hideously white" when choosing programmes.

"I don't think anybody here is saying British TV is racist," Phillips said.

"There are minority faces on TV, but it's that we're not quite getting it right, because we do not really have any minority decision makers.

"White people who live next door to Asian neighbours will see a representation of an ethnic minority family and they will say, 'I don't think so, it doesn't ring true with the people I know'."

[Abigail]

Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said broadcasters were "hideously white" when choosing programmes.

I think that's a racist comment right there.

[Abi]

Personally, i think they should choose based on talent, rather than skin colour. If all of Eastenders was ethnic minorities, but they were the most talented actors, then it should be accepted. The same for if it was entirely white. Positive discrimination doesn't promote equality on TV, nor in any other workplace.

[Abbie]

Personally, i think they should choose based on talent, rather than skin colour. If all of Eastenders was ethnic minorities, but they were the most talented actors, then it should be accepted. The same for if it was entirely white. Positive discrimination doesn't promote equality on TV, nor in any other workplace.

I agree, I mean I can see their point, but in the end it comes down to talent and who audtions for roles

[Perdita]

But the scriptwriters have influence, they will dictate whether they want an Asian cornershop or Polish or British and will cast for the roles accordingly.

[Katy]

I think they do anned to get a balance after all we do live in a multi cultural society so it should be made to be slightly realistic. There is no way that everyone can be pleased all the time.

[Perdita]

You know what, I have never thought about any ratio of different coloured people in any soap, I just accept them as they are. I never noticed therre might be less coloured people in Corrie than EE, can't think of anybody dark skinned in Emmerdale at the mo than the copper Ross. I have never seen a problem with this race/sex/religous/ equality. It will never happen in real life to 100 %, so why should tv or films try to be different.? You get areas with a lot of different cultures and areas with predominantly just one or two, I am quite happy with that.

[Katy]

yeah i never really thought about it until i watched Moving Wallpaper, the comedy that went alongside echo beach, in the first episode they were sorting out characters and one of the barmaids was a young asian girl from birmingham Narinder, and when they chjanged the character the reason was "we need an asian to get the ethnic minorities boosted, all the soaps have on, Corrie have Dev in the shop" according to Jonathon the character of the producer. And it made me think i wonder how true to life that actually is or is it purely for the viewers entertainment.

[Perdita]

It is to comply with legal legislation, nothing else. Equality and Diversity is important now and legalised and most companies will comply with it. (I hope)

[LostVoodoo]

i'm sure i read somewhere about this report that they said Hollyoaks was way too white. excuse me, have i got the entire Valentine family wrong? plus Tina, Rafi and Layla?!

[Perdita]

Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower has rejected claims that the soap fails to represent ethnic minorities.

The Aussie show was branded "all white" in a report commissioned by Channel 4 following the Celebrity Big Brother racism row.

Responding to the criticism, Bower told the Herald Sun: "Our core cast are from diverse ethnic backgrounds including French, Italian, South African, Maltese, Danish, Portuguese and Swedish."

Bower also pointed out that the soap's characters have a wide variety of backgrounds, including Tibetan and Belarusian. A Greek character will also join Erinsborough later this year.

She added: "As with all drama series, Neighbours has always cast the best actor for the role."

[LostVoodoo]

and yet no Aboriginal people Neighbours....as much as i like Neighbours, i'm sure everyone has noticed the rather racist casting over the years. and who can forget the illiterate Irishman who made green beer!