THE IMAGE OF THE JOURNALIST
IN POPULAR CULTURE (IJPC)
JOURNAL
The 21st Century Image of the Journalist
in Hallmark Films
2000-2020
Volume Nine, Fall 2020 - Spring 2021
The 21st Century Image of Journalist in Hallmark Films, 2000-2020 by Joe Saltzman. The Image of the Journalist in Popular Culture (IJPC) Journal, Vol. 9, Fall 2020 - Spring 2021, pp. 74-113.
A number of surprises emerged in this first analysis of the 21st-century image of the journalist in Hallmark films. The great majority of journalists depicted in 360 films were positive images and since a majority of Hallmark viewers get their concept of a journalist from news organizations and social media friendly to their belief system, these images contradicted most of what they have been told about mainstream newsgatherers. A large portion of the major characters were strong females and while White journalists made up the majority depicted, Black and Asian characters showed up in more frequent numbers than comparative films and TV programs featuring journalists. They were also as powerful and positive as their White counterparts. Hispanics, however, were disproportionally underrepresented. The negative journalists – usually paparazzi and tabloid journalists – were usually minor characters found in mystery series and were either murdered, sent to prison, or tried to redeem themselves at the end of the film.
Introduction to Hallmark Appendices