The Place of News Media Analysis within Canadian Disability Studies

Authors

  • Beth Haller Towson University
  • Marcia Rioux York University
  • Mihaela Dinca-Panaitescu DRPI Canada, York University
  • Andrew Laing Cormex Research
  • Jessica Vostermans York University
  • Paula Hearn York University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v1i2.42

Keywords:

News coverage, disability, Canada, media studies, disability rights

Abstract

This paper advocates for increased news media analysis within the disability studies field. Using a media research project about Canadian news media coverage of disability, this paper explores the shifting nature of recent disability coverage within Canadian newspapers between 2009 and 2010. As a group of researchers in Canada and the USA, who have undertaken numerous content analyses of news media representations of disability, we argue that a paradigm shift is taking place in which some traditional news media representations of people with disabilities are now being framed through a disability rights lens. This paper’s analysis is based on data collected by the Toronto-based Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI). The project investigates Canadian news coverage of disability issues through Joseph Gusfield’s theory of societal “ownership” of a public problem, which in this case means discrimination against and societal barriers for people with disabilities become identified problems that need to be solved within Canadian society.

This image depicts Sam Sullivan, former mayor of Vancouver and subject of Nicole Markotic's essay in this theme issue of the CJDS. Sullivan is shown from the waist up, sitting in an electric wheelchair, leading slightly to the left.

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How to Cite

Haller, B., Rioux, M., Dinca-Panaitescu, M., Laing, A., Vostermans, J., & Hearn, P. (2012). The Place of News Media Analysis within Canadian Disability Studies. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 1(2), 43–74. https://doi.org/10.15353/cjds.v1i2.42

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2012): Disability Mediations

Section

Articles

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