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South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective

Thesis (MPhil (Journalism))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya
Other Authors: Ogada, J.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch 2009
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access_status_str Open Access
author Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya
author2 Ogada, J.
author_browse Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya
Ogada, J.
author_facet Ogada, J.
Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya
author_sort Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv University of Stellenbosch
description Thesis (MPhil (Journalism))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2326
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:46:54.487Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2009
publishDateRange 2009
publishDateSort 2009
publisher Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
publisherStr Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
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source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2326 South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya Ogada, J. University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalism. Representation Tabloid -- Celebrity -- South Africa Theses -- Journalism Dissertations -- Journalism Celebrities -- Press coverage -- South Africa Celebrities in mass media Black women -- Press coverage-- South Africa Black men -- Press coverage -- South Africa Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa Journalism Thesis (MPhil (Journalism))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines how positively or negatively as well as how subjectively or objectively the South African tabloid newspapers represent black celebrities. This examination was primarily conducted by using the content analysis research technique. The researcher selected a total of 85 newspapers spread across four different South African daily and weekend tabloid newspapers that were published during the period February to September 2008. The results from the data collected reveal that tabloid newspapers tend to overemphasize negativity when reporting about black celebrities. The findings also reveal a clear differential in the representation of black female celebrities vis-à-vis male celebrities. Unlike male celebrities whose roles were mainly defined in terms of political activities and personal disputes, female celebrities’ roles were largely confined to relationships and sex. The language used by the four newspapers in their representation of celebrities appears to be humiliating and, in some instances, downright disparaging. There is little doubt that media representations of celebrities, whether positive or negative, serve as mirrors to how some members of society behave. To this end, there needs to be a shift from the current preoccupation with sensationalizing negative news when South African tabloid newspapers report on black celebrities. Tabloid newspapers should judiciously use their greater focus on celebrities’ private lives to report on more positive personal stories that focus on the achievements of celebrities, including how some celebrities are living positively with HIV/AIDS. Since this study only focused on South African tabloid newspapers’ representations of black celebrities, and only employed the content analysis method, further research is recommended on the impact of celebrities’ representations on the South African society. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek hoe positief of negatief, asmede subjektief of objektief, daar oor swart beroemdes in Suid-Afrikaanse ponie- of skinderkoerante verslag gedoen word. Die ondersoek is primêr met behulp van die inhoudsanaliseondersoekmetode uitgevoer. Die navorser het 85 koerante uit vier verskillende Suid-Afrikaanse dagblaaie en naweekponiekoerante gekies uit die tydperk Februarie tot September 2008. Die resultate toon ‘n tendens in die poniekoerante dat oorwegend negatiewe verslagdoening oor swart beroemdes vooropgestel word. Die bevindinge toon ook ’n duidelike verskil tussen die verslagdoening oor beroemde swart vroue teenoor dié oor swart mans. In teenstelling met die mans wie se rolle hoofsaaklik ingevolge hulle politieke aktiwiteite en persoonlike dispute gedefinieer word, word beroemde swart vroue se rolle hoofsaaklik beperk tot verhoudings en seks. Die taalgebruik in die verslaggewing oor beroemdes in die vier poniekoerante blyk uiters vernederend, en in sommige gevalle, selfs degraderend en wrang te wees. Daar bestaan min twyfel dat verslaggewing oor beroemdes in die media, hetsy positief of negatief, weerspieël hoe sommige lede van die samelewing lewe. Om hierdie rede is ’n verskuiwing in die huidige beheptheid met die sensasionalisering van negatiewe nuus in die verslaggewing oor swart beroemdes nodig. Poniekoerante wat op die persoonlike lewens van beroemdes fokus behoort na meer positiewe verslagdoening oor hul prestasies te strewe, insluitend, hoe sommige beroemdes positief met MIV/Vigs lewe. Aangesien hierdie navorsing net op verslagdoening oor swart beroemdes in Suid-Afrikaanse poniekoerante kragtens die inhoudsanalisemetorde gefokus het, word verdere navorsing aanbeveel oor die impak van verslagdoening oor beroemdes op die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing. Masters 2009-11-25T09:51:58Z 2010-06-01T08:46:09Z 2009-11-25T09:51:58Z 2010-06-01T08:46:09Z 2009-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2326 en University of Stellenbosch application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
spellingShingle Representation Tabloid -- Celebrity -- South Africa
Theses -- Journalism
Dissertations -- Journalism
Celebrities -- Press coverage -- South Africa
Celebrities in mass media
Black women -- Press coverage-- South Africa
Black men -- Press coverage -- South Africa
Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa
Journalism
Matsebatlela, Emmanuel Mogoboya
South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective
title South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective
title_full South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective
title_fullStr South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective
title_full_unstemmed South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective
title_short South African tabloid newspapers’ representation of black celebrities: A social constructionism perspective
title_sort south african tabloid newspapers representation of black celebrities a social constructionism perspective
topic Representation Tabloid -- Celebrity -- South Africa
Theses -- Journalism
Dissertations -- Journalism
Celebrities -- Press coverage -- South Africa
Celebrities in mass media
Black women -- Press coverage-- South Africa
Black men -- Press coverage -- South Africa
Tabloid newspapers -- South Africa
Journalism
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2326
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