This thesis focuses on the perceptions of the audience/media professionals on the nature of the content on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Channel 4 – a mainstream commercial television broadcaster in the UK. It investigates whether Channel 4 portrays disability in shows which are designed to be laughed at or laughed with, given that Channel 4 has the UK broadcasting rights to the coverage of both the Summer and Winter Paralympics. The thesis investigates why the two broadcasters show disability and disability sport differently, drawing upon contrasting theories - the medical model of disability, the social model of disability, the crip theory, and the social cognitive theory. In addition, the findings of past research in the disability domain are also drawn upon. For example, the stereotypes of disability in the media (Klobas, 1988 and Worrell, 2018) and the impact of ‘inspirational orn’ and the ‘unconscious’ negative light this has on the viewer (Young, 2014 and Evans, 2022) which in turn links back to the contrasting theories being used. The thesis will also draw upon questionnaires completed by 24 members of the public with a disability, and interviews with 5 media professionals in the domain of disability. The findings from the questionnaire element of the data collection process illustrate those participants (with a physical or invisible disability) mostly feel best represented by factual programmes. However, the research has also found that the participants feel that, when shown in the media, it is done so to entertain. The final thesis also includes the findings of the interviews with media professionals from both Channel 4 and BBC in the domain of disability which suggest that change is happening regarding disability portrayal in the media. The findings from the media also include how Channel 4 influenced the coverage of the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the channels coverage of the Games post 2012, whilst also highlighting the media participants views and opinions of the coverage shown both the BBC and Channel 4.
Permanent link to this resource: https://doi.org/10.24384/w3gh-zq30
Little, Harriet
Supervisors: Whigham, Stuart; Bibbey, Adam
Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work
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