| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of this study is to analyze portrayal characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing people in Lithuanian internet media. Three main tasks are set: to discuss conception of hearing disorder and its evolution; to investigate influence of media to the process of social construction; to analyse portrayal characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing people in Lithuanian internet media (Lrytas.lt, Alfa.lt, Delfi.lt). Theoretical analysis of conception of hearing disorder and its evolution revealed hearing impairment was ambiguously described phenomenon, which limits changed greatly throughout the history. Based on the analysis of the social constructionism theory it was presumed that the conception of hearing impairment, meanings attributed to it and people perceptions related to it are considered to be constructed during the course of social interactions. Relying on the assumption, that words used by media have great influence on the identities of portrayed people, the study was aimed to analyze the portrayal characteristics of people having hearing impairment in Lithuanian internet media. Whereas the media presents information selectively, i.e. provides only details selected from the whole set of facts, it consequently has the power to influence public opinion, behavior and process of decision making. The research performed in this study is important not only because its results discloses the specific characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing people, but also it may help to prepare recommendations for the improvement current situation. Empirical research, combining quantitative, qualitative methods and content analysis was performed by investigating 435 publications broadcasted in Lithuanian media portals (Lrytas.lt, Alfa.lt, Delfi.lt) during the period of 2006–2012. In the research three hypotheses were set and fully or partly confirmed: Deaf and hard of hearing person most frequently is not the primary • source of information in the publication, i.e. interview is performed not with the particular person, but rather with his or hers relatives or someone else. The results of the research revealed the most frequent genre of publication was message/ report, which was usually based on the most easily accessible sources of information, not involving deaf and hard of hearing people. Such practice may be concluded as another factor, supporting and enhancing myth of deaf people being “mute”, but omitting the fact they have their language – native gesture language. Media presenting deaf and hard of hearing people in some cases • constructs generalized view of disabled person by uniforming different disabilities (physical, mental, sensory). The research disclosed, that publications presenting exclusively deaf and hard of hearing people, but introducing them as disabled rather than hearing impaired were not very frequent but do existed. Such generalized way of portrayal of deaf and hard of hearing people may be considered as informatively and ethically incorrect and may lead to stigmatization of the related group. The conclusion follows, that media portrays deaf and hard of hearing people in very narrow–minded way, which does not reveal the complexity, severity and seriousness of hearing disorder. The results of the research confirmed the hypothesis, as the most of the • investigated publications presented deaf and hard of hearing people as separate group acting separately form the „hearing society“. On the theory of social constructionism basis may be concluded that such portrayal of deaf and hard of hearing people increases their societal disjuncture. |
