From Critical Analysis to Breakthrough: EdUHK Prof Erni's Research on Ethnic Minority Media Representations Reaches UN Forum

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Despite Hong Kong's multicultural heritage, racism persists in the city's mainstream media. In October 2022, TVB, the largest broadcaster, faced public criticism for using blackface in a drama episode, shortly after an actress apologised for wearing brown makeup to portray a Filipino domestic worker.

Recognising the void surrounding a sustained and meaningful debate on the problem of racism in the city, Prof John Erni, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at The Education University of Hong Kong, has emerged as a leading voice through his cultural research. His scholarly work that spans nearly 20 years examines how ethnic minorities are portrayed across Hong Kong's mainstream media. Through his research, he hopes to elevate public consciousness while fostering genuine cultural diversity within the city. 

Findings: Misrepresentation & Underrepresentation

Erni's findings indicate South Asians and other ethnic minorities in Hong Kong are consistently underrepresented and misrepresented in mainstream media. They are cast in roles reinforcing mostly negative stereotypes, mainly as criminals, gangsters or comedic characters, thereby contributing to their characterisation as the racialised Other. His co-authored book on the images of non-Chinese in four decades of Hong Kong cinema, citing Wong Kar-wai's Chungking Express, states: "The portrayal of South Asians was relatively negative and stereotypical. These characters were either drug dealers or thieves, willing to break the law for money." Erni added that while such patterns are not unique to Hong Kong, they deepen social divisions and perpetuate the symbolic annihilation of ethnic minorities.

Gaps: Lacking Connections

Erni's research exposes blind spots within the media industry and in society as a whole regarding ethnic minorities' lived experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the shortcomings. "The pandemic revealed our dangerous lack of direct connections with these communities," explains the specialist. "Their infection rates may have been disproportionately higher, but since statistics were aggregated with general population data only, we could not quantify the true impact."