Analysis Of The Representation Of Latinos In Television

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This study contains a quantitative analyses; Using this approaches was essential to get a better understanding of the research. In order to get a thorough understanding of the representation of Latinos in television a qualitative approach was needed.
In this study, prime time programming of the two major broadcast networks in both English and Spanish were analyzed:
• ABC- American Broadcasting System
• NBC- National Broadcasting Company
• Univision
• Telemundo
Access to the all of the shows from the networks were accessed through streaming websites such as Netflix and Hulu. This study will focus on only prime time television shows. “Prime time” refers the most watched time on television, “According to the A.C. Nielson Company, 60 percent …show more content…

The characters were assessed based on their racial identity when they had enough indications to assert their identity. Only scripted, fictional shows were included in the research. Any news shows or reality television shows were not considered.
The researcher identified the most common frames that Latino characters were seen in, in order to use a framing analysis for the research. A framing analysis method was used as the form of research to better understand the way that Latinos are being portrayed in the primetime shows. The frames that were chosen do not represent the opinion of the researcher. They were chosen based on the message the researcher believed that the television show’s creator was trying to convey. The frames identified were professional, domestic, Latin lover, Latina threat, humiliation, malicious, and ethical.
Criminal frame is for characters who are shown being in trouble with the law or engaging in illegal activity. A common character seen in both English and Spanish-language primetime television were drug dealers. They were not just drug dealers working on their own, they were involved in drug cartels that operated worldwide. Violent criminals were also seen as characters. They would commit crimes such as homicides in order to get vengeance from somebody. This frame was significant enough to have two sub frames: Drug Dealer and Violent Criminal. It is a modern take on the classic “Bandido” …show more content…

This is a frame that is relatively new in the mass media because it was not often seen years ago. One of the most prevalent success jobs that Latinos were seen in in English media were law enforcement professionals. Often they were seen investigating cases that had to with Latino criminals. The most prevalent jobs seen in Spanish media were in the medical and business field. This frame has three sub frames: Law Enforcement, Medical and Businessperson. Law enforcement sub frame includes anything from police officers to detectives that are working to solve criminal cases. The medical sub frame includes doctors, nurses and any person working in a hospital or rehabilitation center. The third sub frame, businessperson, includes any character who is seen successfully leading any type of business or being an essential part of a successful