Media Scholars to Discuss the Effects of Media Representation in Entertainment at LSU Manship School of Mass Communication

March 31, 2021

BATON ROUGE—The entertainment industry plays a large role in shaping individuals’ perceptions of reality. However, leadership in this industry does not always reflect the diversity of its consumers. To discuss how media representation can affect society, the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication will host “Setting the Stage: Entertainment and the Social Good” on Wednesday, April 7, at 2:30 p.m. CST.

The event will bring together industry scholars for a discussion about the impact of media representation in entertainment. Panelists will explore the influence of the media we consume and how critical this can be in serving the social good, especially when sharing the experiences of minority, marginalized and underrepresented groups.

Meghan Sanders, Manship School associate professor and director of the Media Effects Lab, will moderate this conversation. Sanders’ research focuses on entertainment media’s psychological effects, ranging from emotional responses to social justice attitudes. Most recently, she contributed to “The Oxford Handbook of Entertainment Theory,” edited by Peter Vorderer and Christoph Klimmt.

“My research focuses on how media impacts individuals and the larger society, and representation in entertainment media is a large part of this impact,” Sanders said. “While conversations about the importance of representation in entertainment media are becoming more frequent, there is still much work to be done. My hope is that this event will help educate the public on the role audiences can play in shifting the focus to include a more diverse range of stories, people and experiences.” 

Panelists include:

  • Mary Beth Oliver, Ph.D., Professor of Media Studies, Bellisario College of Communications, Penn State University
  • Jesse J. Holland, Assistant Professor, School of Media & Public Affairs, The George Washington University
  • Mia Ginaé Watkins, Communications Specialist, Playstation; Award-Winning Filmmaker

The event is Wednesday, April 7, at 2:30 p.m. CST and will take place via Zoom. Admission is free and open to the public, but you must register in advance. Reserve, via Eventbrite, your virtual seat in this conversation by Tuesday, April 6. The event will also be recorded and uploaded to the Manship School’s Youtube channel.

For more information, contact Kelci Sibley at ksibley1@lsu.edu or (225) 578-0416.

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The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs is partnership-driven, action-oriented and dedicated to exploring contemporary issues at the intersection of mass communication and public life. Its interdisciplinary approach draws together experts from diverse fields to advance research and dialogue. The intent is to inspire our communities to think deeply, take action, develop solutions and broaden knowledge. Underlying the Center’s endeavors is to strengthen and advance the Manship School’s national and state leadership in media and politics.

LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication ranks among the strongest collegiate communication programs in the country, with its robust emphasis on media and public affairs. It offers undergraduate degrees in public relations, journalism, political communication, digital advertising and pre-law, along with four graduate degree programs: master of mass communication, Ph.D. in media and public affairs, certificate of strategic communication, and dual MMC/law degree.

 

 

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