Press Releases 2009

 

17th July 2009

People with disabilities are under-represented in broadcast media, reveals NDA/BCI report

 

 

A unique report examining the Representation and Portrayal of People with Disabilities in Irish Broadcasting was published today, July 17th, by the National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI). The first of its kind, the report presents three pieces of research which afford unprecedented insight into the portrayal of people with disabilities, Irish people’s attitudes towards this representation in Irish broadcasting and existing models of best practice in other countries. 

 

The research reveals that just one in ten people surveyed thought that people with disabilities are generally talked about in a negative way on TV or radio. However, when television and radio programmes were analysed, only 1.1% of people who appeared had a disability.  Furthermore, while portrayals were not discriminatory, the vast majority were stereotypical representations of people with a disability.  The research also found that 1 in 4 people would be more likely to view TV programmes that included people with disabilities, while most surveyed said it would have no impact on their likelihood to view programmes

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Commenting upon the launch of the report, Angela Kerins, Chairperson of the NDA said, “the NDA was pleased to work with BCI on this practical project which gives us a sense of how broadcasting is impacting on attitudes to disability generally in Ireland; how people with disabilities are represented and how other countries are approaching such matters.   It is particularly important given that we all spend a significant amount of time watching TV and listening to the radio on a daily basis, which in turn influences our view of society. Broadcast media play an important role in influencing public attitudes. This work is important in guiding us on how best to enhance representation of people with disabilities and their concerns in Irish broadcasting in a meaningful and appropriate way”.

 

Conor Maguire, Chairperson of the BCI added “this research report is important for regulators and broadcasters alike in providing an insight into people’s attitudes toward the portrayal and representation of people with a disability on Irish radio and television.  The research will be used to support the development by the BCI, of voluntary guidelines for broadcasters to encourage fair and accurate representation of people with disabilities in the broadcast media.”

 

Accessible versions of the three individual research documents are available on the web, via www.nda.ie or www.bci.ie. The research and the Executive Summary are also available on CD from the same bodies.

 

 

-ENDS-

Media queries to:

NDA                                                                           BCI                                                    
Rachel Morrogh                                                       Suzanne Sullivan
Insight Consultants                                                 Q4 Public Relations
01 293 99 77                                                             01 4751444
086 853 0005                                                            086 3797291

Miriam Ryan                                                             Aoife Clabby
Insight Consultants                                                 BCI
01 293 99 77                                                             01 6441200
086 353 1679                                                            087 2039037