Secrets, lies and redemption

ABSTRACT

Confession is a central disciplining technology deployed in the second series of Intersexions, a popular South African TV series that seeks to change sexual and social behaviours that contribute to the risk of HIV infection. The article considers the ‘edu’ part of this edutainment programme, specifically with the nature of the lessons and with the form of ‘disciplining’ the narratives presuppose for gendered and sexual subjects. Central to this critical and constructivist exploration of the gender relationships that are validated and expurgated are Foucault’s notions of discourse and confession as a technology of self. We argue that the series presents a range of different gendered and sexual subjectivities but implicitly endorses a modern subjectivity and transformation at the level of the individual.

KEYWORDS:

• Intersexions
• edutainment
• SABC
• HIV/AIDS
• gender

Note on contributors

Priscilla Boshoff lectures in Cultural and Media Studies at Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies.

Jeanne Prinsloo lectures postgraduate students at Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies and works as an independent researcher.

Notes

1. SABC 1 <http://www.sabc1.co.za/sabc/home/sabc1/>.

2. FilmworldSA <https://filmworldsa.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/tv-audience-ratings-march-11-17-sabc-1-and-2/> (accessed 9 March 2015).

3. SABC 2012 <http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/a3e2f6004ac5dee79f51bf8d3eaf32c5/Intersexions-receives-the-prestigious-Peabody-Award-20120504> (accessed 30 July 2015).