Background The SBS documentary Struggle Street, which first aired in May 2015, has received mixed reviews from the general public and welfare organisations. Some who lived in the area where it was being filmed criticised the show for ‘betraying’ the plight of vulnerable people in society (Meade, 2015) and, in a statement about the show, the Australian Council of Social Services made the comment that “degrading and insulting portrayals of people doing it tough in our community is commonplace in large sections of the Australian media and must stop” (para, 1). Other reviews were less damning saying it is “powerful and poignant TV” (McNair, 2015). This controversy raises the issue of media representation of vulnerable people in society and it potentially damaging and/or positive effects. Assessment Task For this assignment, watch the episode of Struggle Street below and then write your own reflective critique about how you think the individuals in the documentary are represented. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9AmcnOIEFY What does Reflective Critique mean? By reflective critique I mean a critique that begins with your own personal response to the documentaty, which is then followed up by a more scholarly and critical review of the episode. Reflective questions to assist you are as follows: Do you think the documentary portrays vulnerable people in a positive light? Explain why and then discuss the broader implications of this. Do you think the documentary portrays vulnerable people in a negative light? Explain why and then discuss the broader implications of this. Perhaps there are parts that you think are both positive and negative? Explain how this is the case and discuss the broader implications. Referencing All academic work involves referencing, including reflective writing. This means drawing on credible sources to support or challenge your responses and opinions. In this assignment, this will mean referencing ALL the sources that inform your point of view. If you have presented your point of view without any references, then this is not informed and this will be reflected in the way the assignment is marked. You can find more information on how to reference using APA here. Reading To further assist you with your thinking, here are some of the critiques of the programme. Buckmaster , L (2017, November 21) Struggle Street season two: SBS ‘poverty porn’ is back – and more problematic than ever. Daily Review. Meade, A. (2015, May 5) SBS reality show Struggle Street betrays vulnerable people, says missionary. The Guardian Australian Council for Social Services (2015, May 5) Vilification of ‘struggle street’ is commonplace in Australian media and must stop: ACOSS Dow, S. (2015, May 6) Struggle Street review – must-see TV, undersold by sensationalism. The Guardian. NcNair, B. (2015, May 6) Review: Struggle Street proves to be powerful, often poignant TV. The Guardian.
