Stereotypes in the media

Stereotypes have and perhaps always will be a key part of the media and the messages portrayed within it. A stereotype is a fixed viewpoint on areas of society that includes both people and places including the popular sexist stereotype that women can't drive. News media use stereotypes to reinforce the hegemonic model and push forward the produces proffered ideology and it is arguably in news media that stereotypes are used most heavily (shortly followed by comedy) though it is not just these genres that use stereotypes.

The first of two builders sketches on the popular Harry and Paul sketches challenges the stereotype that builders are loud, obnoxious and uneducated whereas in this sketch the two men involved are or at least seem to be well educated, talking about Stephen \Fry.