| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of the master’s thesis “Representation of Children with Special Educational Needs in Lithuanian News Portals in the Context of Inclusive Education Reform” is to analyze how children with special educational needs (hereinafter referred to as SEN) are represented in Lithuanian news portals. The topic of the thesis is relevant because the media has a significant influence on public attitudes towards children with SEN and inclusive education. The objectives of this thesis are to define the concepts of SEN and inclusive education, analyze the role of the media in shaping public attitudes towards children with SEN, and investigate how children with SEN are represented in Lithuanian news portals. The study employs theoretical research methods (analysis, comparison, and generalization), qualitative content analysis based on the principles of inductive thematic analysis, and semi-structured expert interviews. The research findings revealed that stigmatizing representations of children with SEN frequently dominate Lithuanian news portals, potentially reinforcing existing stereotypes and negative attitudes towards inclusive education in society. |
