I disagree with the
concept of poverty porn TV. i believe that it exploits those in harsh
conditions with false expectations of an improved lifestyle as a result of
participation in the shows, they are filmed for a pure entertainment factor and
are represented in the worst way the use of footage editing highlights the
extreme and worsts aspects of their lives, this diminishes the true reality of
their financial and economic situation. The target audiences for shows such as
SKINT and Benefit Street are those who can relate to the stars in the shows
e.g. lower classes or those in financial poverty situations and those of middle
class background who sum up the rest of the viewership for channel 4. I believe
that those from more moderate backgrounds watch poverty porn TV for a sense of
entertainment to see how the rest of Britain live and how these almost
'fictitious' characters deal with their lives and struggles. Despite the
programming being presented in a somewhat informative manner to educate the
viewership on the other half of the British population's hardships, i believe
that this is just a method of self-censorship to conceal the lack of moral
concern for those depicted in the programs. Clear exploitation is apparent;
dragging the concept of an informative program over multiple seasons and
episodes weakening the message; turning the concept of poverty porn in to a
method of entertainment for TV consumption.
Further evidence of the entertainment factor is the use of editing
the footage. This allows editors to pick and choice aspects and events within
the lives of those in the show to glamorize their misfortunes. As a view i
share no similarities with those in the show therefore I cannot relate to their
struggles the show only fulfils my gratefulness of my own live, some may take
the show and look down upon those on SKINT or benefit street.
