Presentations of disability in the media

Newspaper representations of the disabled

-Williams-Findlay (2009) examined the output of two broadsheet newspapers: The Times and the Guardian >to see whether their coverage of the disabled had changed between 1989 and 2009 >Williams-Findlay found there was a steep decline in the use of stereotypical words such as 'brave' >but argues that both negative and stereotypical representations of the disabled were still present in both newspapers in 2009 -found disability was not regarded as newsworthy by either journalists or their audiences

Gauntlett (2008)

-all sociological theories of media representations need to be cautious in their approach because of the sheer diversity of media that exist in the UK -it is difficult, if not impossible, to generalise these critiques to all types of media >e.g. TV representations of the disabled may be positive on the BBC and Channel 4 but negative on Channel 5 and in tabloid newspapers

Postmodernist perspective on media representations of disability

-argue that the dominant medical discourse which has shaped the societal and media treatment of the disabled, is fragmenting in the 21st century >as the disabled politically organise themselves, find their voice and independently construct their own identities -consequently, the medical metanarrative is in decline >and the perspective of the disabled that impairment does not mean unhealthy, deficient and dependent is increasingly heard and acted upon >this is reflected in more positive media representations, especially in the coverage of sport

Oliver (1998) and Barnes and Mercer (2003): The social constructionist theory

-argues that impaired individuals are disabled by society and that mass media representations play a significant part in that process -they argue that there are three main reasons why mass media representations of disability take the form they do: 1) medical professions set the agenda for media portrayal of disability >their view that disability is unhealthy, unfortunate and tragic, and that they are dependent upon other dominates journalist's perspectives on disability 2) media representations reflect the prejudice that able-bodied people feel towards the disabled >disabled people represent everything that the 'normal' world most dread 3) the disabled are rarely consulted by journalists because they concur with the medical view that disabled people are incapable of leading a 'normal' life >thus negative representations reflect the low status, oppression, exclusion and inequality experienced by the disabled in a society dominated by the able-bodied

Why stereotypical representations of the disabled persist

-disabled people and their organisations are rarely used as sources >so they have little influence over the language used by journalists >or over how disabled people and disability are represented

Media stereotypes

-mass media are seen by disabled sociologists as partly responsible for the dissemination of these stereotypes and prejudices -Barnes (1992) identified a number of recurring stereotypes of disabled people, which he claimed regularly appear in media representations of the disabled

Shakespeare (1999): television and film

-media stereotypes of the disabled on television and film are "crude, one-dimensional and simplistic" -suggests that the use of disability as a character trait is a lazy short-cut >such stereotypes reinforce negative attitudes towards disabled people, and ignorance about the nature of disability -Barnes agrees, stating television and films rarely portray disabled people as normal, ordinary people who just happen to have an impairment

The second view from those who have experienced disability firsthand

-such as Colin Barnes and Tom Shakespeare suggests that the disabled are actually disabled by society >particularly by prejudicial stereotypes and attitudes >these result in discriminatory practices known collectively as 'disablism' >that reinforce the notion that the disabled should be dependent upon able-bodied others >or that they should be segregated from the rest of society

Roper (2003): Telethons

-suggests telethons such as Children In Need rely too heavily on 'cute' children who are not representative of the range of disabled people in the UK -they act to keep the audience in the position of givers and to keep the disabled in their place as grateful and dependent recipients of charity -they are about entertaining the public rather than helping able-bodied society to understand the everyday realities of what it is like to be disabled >they merely conform to social prejudices about the disabled; e.g. that they are dependent on the help of able-bodied people

The bio-medical model (view) on disability

-the first suggests that disabled people are disabled by their physical and/or mental impairments >known as the bio-medical model >suggests they need constant care from medical practitioners and their families >the disabled are dependent upon the able-bodied

Pluralist perspective on media representations of disability

-they often reflect the dominant medical view that disability is dysfunctional for both the individual and society -media representations realistically mirror social anxieties about impairment >e.g. that individuals experience it as a problematic and abnormal state -however, it is argued that media representations of the disabled also reflect society's admiration of the 'courage' shown by some disabled individuals, especially if they are young -so, they argue that media representations of the disabled portray the reality of the everyday conditions of the disabled and their carers

Barnes recurring stereotypes

Pitiable and pathetic -claims this stereotype is a staple of television documentaries >which often focuses too heavily on disabled children and the possibilities of 'miracle' cures Sinister and evil -disabled people often portrayed as criminals or monsters >e.g. villains in James Bond have something physically wrong with them Atmospheric or curio -disabled people might be included in drama to enhance an atmosphere of menace, unease, mystery or deprivation >used to add visual impact to productions Super-cripples -disabled people are portrayed as having special powers >e.g. blind people might be viewed as a visionary with a sixth sense or super-hearing >Paralympics Sexually abnormal -it is assumed by the media that that the disabled do not have sexual feelings or that they are sexually degenerate Incapable of participating fully in community life -Barnes calls this the stereotype of omission and notes that disabled people are "rarely shown as integral and productive members of the community"