- Disability in the media
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The depiction of disability in the media plays a major role in forming public perception of disability. Perceptions created by the media informs the way people with disabilities are treated in society. "The media have been cited as a key site for the reinforcement of negative images and ideas in regard to people with disabilities."[1]
In response, there have been increasing examples worldwide of people with disabilities pursuing their own media projects, such as film series centered on disability issues, radio programs and podcasts designed around and marketed towards those with disabilities, and so on. This is seen by many disability rights activists as a way to, as some in these circles term it, "piss on pity".
Contents
Common depictions
The media generally depict people with disabilities according to common stereotypes such as pity and heroism.[2] Disability advocates often call this type of societal situation the "pity/heroism trap" or "pity/heroism dichotomy"[2] and call instead for its supporters to "Piss On Pity" and push forward with inclusion instead.[3]
When reports are about the "plight of the disabled" they rely on the pity or medical model of disability. Telethons are an example of this, such as the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon which has been heavily criticised and sometimes even physically protested by disability rights advocates.[4]
Negative day-to-day reporting may occur chiefly by depicting a given person or people with a disability as a burden or drain on society.[5]
The "super-crip" model, in which subjects are portrayed as heroically overcoming their afflictions, is also often used when reporting on sport.[1]
The social model tends to be used for reporting on the activities of disability rights activists if the report is positive.[6]
Broadcast media programming for disabled audiences
Ouch![1] by the British Broadcasting Corporation, The Largest Minority[2] broadcast in New York City, and a show presented in sign language on SABC television in South Africa, Dtv[3], are examples of programming produced for, and usually also by, disabled people.
Radio reading services are radio stations that broadcast readings from newspapers, magazines and books to mainly blind or partially sighted audiences.
Many activist and charitable organisations have websites and publish their own magazines or newsletters.
Responses
Various organisations and programmes have been established to try to positively influence the frequency and quality of reporting on disability issues.[7][8][9][10]
See also
References
- ^ a b http://physed.otago.ac.nz/sosol/v7i1/v7i1_1.html
- ^ a b http://www.mediaanddisability.org/presentacion.htm
- ^ http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/mickeyz01232005/
- ^ "The Nutty Profess-ion" article from Rabble News
- ^ http://www.ncpedp.org/comm/com-resrch.htm
- ^ http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sensitive-news-topics/the-super-crip-stereotype/
- ^ http://www.mediaanddisability.org/
- ^ http://www.media-disability.net/
- ^ http://www.media-disability.org/
- ^ http://disabilitymedia.ning.com/
Categories:- Disability media
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