Designing Monitoring to Promote Cultural Diversification in TV

Abstract

This article reviews key international and national precedents in democratic media monitoring of race relations at the height of concern about interracial and intercultural security after 9/11, primarily between 2001 and 2004. None of these studies has received much academic or policy attention. The history, context, politics, and methods of media monitoring of race and representation are reviewed in the Canadian context. Four options are set out for developing continuous monitoring of media content of the type established in other countries. The article argues for an independent institute for media monitoring in Canada involving racial equity–seeking groups, scholars, media professionals, and students in the production of empirical research to promote cultural diversification in Canadian TV.