Accessibility and the media : focus on Maltese television programs for people who are deaf

Abstract

The media holds an important place in society. As a social institution, it influences and shapes public opinion on most things it portrayals. Disability is no different. This dissertation aims to understand better the relationship between disability and the media by focusing on the media’s influence on society and its portrayal of disability. The researcher examines this relationship by focusing on other aspects of disability such as the different models of disability and how popular they are in disabilities portrayal. The most common depiction of disability is the medical model which argues for a cure for disability. In the case of deafness, the medical model pushes for hearing aids or the cochlear implant and does not push for the person to instead learn and use sign language or be aware of the deaf culture.

On the other hand, this dissertation also aims on studying the level of accessible television programs here in Malta for people who are deaf. This was done by conducting a content analysis of current available programs that either have a sign language interpreter or sub-titles. Currently, PBS only offers two television programs that are accessible for people who are deaf. These programs are the evening news at six and “Ghawdex Illum Bis-sotto Titli”. Apart from these programs, news briefings that relate to covid-19 are also accompanied by a sign language interpreter. However, as was seen from the elite interviews conducted, having press briefings be accessible for people who are deaf was an issue that was needed to be brought up to the relevant authorities. As will be brought up during the data analysis section, the issue of accessibility relating to television programs needs to constantly be brought up and is not something that occurs without light to this issue.