The traditional news media’s frequency is quite rarely inclusive of positive contributions that transgender individuals provide in society. Few, perhaps, could say the reasoning behind it isn’t specific to our identities as transgender people; however, that it could also just be a general overview of how the media functions as a whole. Let’s discuss:
Current day media outlets favor narratives where:
- conflict is involved
- dramatic themes are heightened, which elicit strong reactions
- identities are politicized
This is in part due to the fact that our existence as transgender human beings is frequently politicized as news media attention is often directed at controversy: debates, legislation, bans, and “culture war” topics as opposed to everyday accomplishments.
Non-Positive Bias Within Journalism
Consciously or unconsciously, audiences are more prone to clicking into narratives that have a sense of urgency, are shocking, and/or filled with drama. Media outlets, especially digital organizations, are incentivized by web traffic and social media engagement metrics. Unfortunately, uplifting human interest-based narratives, including those of transgender people, do not drive as much web traffic because society as a whole is more inclined to want to watch and/or hear about human suffering as opposed to those living well and thriving in the collective human experience that we call life.
Low Representation Within Newsrooms
When there are less transgender people working within editorial roles, trans perspectives are far less likely to be supported. Narratives surrounding accomplishments within community work, business endeavors, science, the arts, etc., may not be pitched and/or published.
The Framing of Political Narratives Overshadows Human Impact Stories
In a lot of parts of the world, narratives about transgender people are positioned for strategic political purposes as opposed to:
- Health segments
- Community stories
- Education
- The arts
- Science
Often, this reduces us transgender people to a political issue as opposed to actually depicting us as human beings who live, work, and excel in a number of fields.
Uplifting Trans Inclusive Narratives Do Exist In The World, They Just Travel In Different Spaces
We see the benefit of these stories mainly reflected in:
- LGBTQIA+ News Media Outlets
- Local Media
- Nonprofit Media
- Social platforms recognizing personal accomplishments
- Community-based reporting
However, all of the aforementioned areas have smaller audience bases than those of mainstream national news networks. That said, it’d be appreciated for mainstream news outlets to rise to the occasion and meet transgender people where we are in society as equals to our cisgender counterparts.
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About Rev. Dylan Thomas Cotter: With over fifteen years of expertise in PR and strategy, Rev. Dylan Thomas Cotter stands out as a strategic advisor for elite clients across entertainment, technology, fitness, fashion and beauty. His dynamic life experience enhances his ability to elevate brand messages and drive impactful engagement.
Dylan Thomas is proud gay transgender activist and author that has appeared in Vice, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, The Advocate, Yahoo! News, Pride, Mashable, Inked Magazine, Truthout, Well Beings News and Newsweek that happily resides in the Hollywood Hills with his partner.
His memoir Transgender & Triggering The Life of Dylan Thomas Cotter is available now at Barnes & Noble, Harvard Book Store, Book Soup and Skylight Books amongst other fine retailers and is distributed worldwide through Ingramspark.