Out in the media?

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the media towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex issues and stories

By: Walter D & Ndlovu N
Published by: Community Media for Development (CMFD), 2006
Via: Eldis

There is still widespread discrimination against LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) communities in South Africa. Can the media do better to cover the sector? The aim of this document is to identify opportunities of how the LGBTI sector can build its role in media diversity. It is based on research conducted in South Africa by the Gay and Lesbian Archives (GALA) of South Africa and Community Media for Development/ CMFD Productions. The research found that stereotypical and negative images of these communities are still being promoted through the media. However, the research findings also indicate that there are a significant number of journalists and individuals from the LGBTI community that are interested in developing good media around issues identified by the community as important. The authors recommend:

• training for both journalists and individuals and organisations in the LGBTI sector
• the creation of opportunities for knowledge sharing
• the creation of tools such as manuals, guides and a web portal
• additional research on these issues
  

The authors note in particular that a multi-faceted approach - one that involves a wide range of stakeholders in a wide range of activities, is key to building the quantity and quality of the LGBTI presence in the South African Media
(http://www.cmfd.org/cmfdpubs/OutInTheMediaFinalReport.pdf)