Articles
Competing narratives in framing disability in the UK media: a comparative analysis of journalistic representations of facial disfigurement versus practices of self-representations online
Authors:
Diana Garrisi ,
University of Westminster, GB
About Diana
School of Media, Arts and Design
Jacob Johanssen
University of Westminster, GB
About Jacob
Senior Lecturer, Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), School of Media, Arts and Design
Abstract
By using discourse analysis, this paper compares and contrasts the journalistic coverage of the story of a beauty blogger with facial disfigurement with her blog. On the one hand, we will show the extent to which a self-representational account may align with the journalistic coverage, reinforcing rather than contesting mainstream representations of disability. On the other, we will demonstrate how a person with a disfigurement can use blogging to reclaim her own identity and challenge the medical objectification of her body perpetuated by mainstream media. This research found that rather than being mutually exclusive, journalism and blogging can play a complementary role in shaping the society’s understanding of the complexities and contradictions surrounding disfigurement.
How to Cite:
Garrisi, D. & Johanssen, J., (2018). Competing narratives in framing disability in the UK media: a comparative analysis of journalistic representations of facial disfigurement versus practices of self-representations online. JOMEC Journal. (12), pp.128–144. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18573/jomec.172
Published on 08 Feb 2018.
Peer Reviewed
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