Ukrainian Reality Shows as a Tool of Discrimination (on the Example of the Program «Supermama»)

Abstract

Introduction. Children’s rights need special attention, as they cannot make their own decisions and need the protection and care of their parents. At the same time, parents can take advantage of their children. This also applies to the participation of children in reality shows. It is the responsibility of both parents and the film crew to comply with the legal framework of Ukraine regarding children’s participation in media projects, providing comfortable physical and psychological conditions for filming, caring for the child’s psychological state during filming and after the show. Purpose and relevance. The reality show «Supermama» which involves not only adult protagonists but also their children is selected for analysis. The participation of minors in the program can lead to violations of their rights and discrimination, as well as the establishment of stereotypes in society about the treatment of children. Currently, research on discrimination against children in the media is just beginning in Ukraine, and research on discrimination in reality shows has not yet been conducted. Based on the analysis of 4 seasons of reality shows, the article provides recommendations for TV companies to work with children in the process of creating a reality show. The research methodology. The research used methods of analysis and synthesis of empirical data, content analysis, abstraction to identify discriminatory practices in the plots of the program, deductive method for summarizing. Results. The study analysed the discriminatory practices of the «Supermama» program for participating children and the impact on child viewers. It has been established that program producers and main participants repeatedly violate the rights of minors (negative coverage of their lives, negative comments on children and the upbringing process in general in the program, misogyny, violations of the law on media work with children, etc.) and inflict destructive influence on child viewers. transmitting and perpetuating stereotypes and regulating discrimination on various grounds. Conclusions. Recommendations for working with children in the filming process and the post-production phase were made. The article can be a basis for researching discriminatory practices against children in reality shows and the media in general. The findings can also be used to establish the dynamics of overcoming discrimination against children in the Ukrainian media.