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Master-Thesis-Linn-Martinussen.Pdf (1.079Mb) “What’s blindness got to do with it?” Master's thesis in Nordic Media Linn Martinussen Department of Media and Communication University of Oslo, Norway 10.11.2014 Abstract In this piece of work, I have posed the following questions: How was blindness made part of the Blunkett scandal? What significance did the Blunkett scandal have in an African context? My conclusion is that Blindness was not given that much attention in the coverage of the scandal. Thus it did not affect the outcome, something which is positive for equality. However, it was given the attention any “anomaly” would have done, something we see in one of the articles analysed, “What’s blindness got to do with it?” With regards to the second question, I have concluded that although the Blunkett scandal was not that significant, and even less so in an African context, it played a big role in the debate around an African democracy. I am therefore arguing that it had a great symbolic significance. This is concluded from the article “What if Blunkett were African?” The thesis starts with a chapter outlining why I chose to look closer into the Blunkett scandal and the chapter also discusses the two elements I am looking at throughout the thesis: Scandal and disability. In chapter two, we take a deep dive into scandal theory, in chapter three, disability theory, how is disability covered in the media? Chapter four gives us a short biography of David Blunkett as well as looking more in depth into the scandal. Chapter five is the methods chapter and in chapter six, I analyse the previously mentioned articles and provide answers to the research questions. Chapter seven sees the conclusion to the thesis. 1 © Author 2014 “What’s blindness got to do with it?” Linn Martinussen http://www.duo.uio.no/ Print: Reprosentralen, University of Oslo 2 Foreword Imagine that you’ve got to choose between two challenging tasks. 1. Tame a lion, 2. Make a journalist and fiction writer into an academic. Which would you choose? I heard you say the lion. And I honestly do not blame you. To say that writing this piece of work you’re about to read has been hard is an understatement. When I’m not making endless cups of tea, and emerging into the mystical world that is academia, I make endless cups of tea and write for a few lifestyle magazines and I am a song and fiction writer as well. Writing for me is playing with words. Finding unexpected twists and turns for my characters, be creative with rhymes and coming up with cliff-hangers that will leave the readers screaming for MORE! But academic writing isn’t like that. And I have had many angry outbursts, slammed with doors and made up creative swear words when I, yet again, didn’t get it. But writing this thesis hasn’t just been horrible. I have enjoyed every bit of the research process. And I do not, for a second regret my decision to get a masters’ degree. And I have learned a lot both about studying, scandals, disability theory patience and maturing in the process. My doors are still intact, I still have a social life and I just about kept my sanity. First and foremost, I need to thank my thesis’ subject, David Blunkett, who kindly granted me an interview in his Westminster office. I got some insights into the happenings of 2004 and 2005 I wouldn’t otherwise have got. His open and honest answers to my questions have coloured my analysis chapter a great deal. This piece of work would only have been half as good without his input. My Supervisor Anders Olof Larsson has given me useful feedback and constructive criticism throughout the process. Then there’s Elisabeth Nymann (aka Miranda Priestly1), my secretary who has done the proof reading and physical layout. She also reminded me that there are things like fashion, make-up, skin-care and wine when I had been sitting around in my tea spotted house clothes and unmade-up face, writing for longer than what’s humanly healthy. She has also become a very dear friend. My cousin Elisabeth (EMO) for taking me on long walks so my brains got some fresh air. My little sister Lisa-Marie for brain storming my thesis ideas with me and for being an awesome sister. Gideon Goldberg and his colleague Theresa for a tour of the Guardian offices. And of course my course mates. Without us encouraging each other throughout, this I might have gone mad. Thanks too to the crew at Grimstad Library to provide both academic literature and other books I could enjoy when I was taking a break. And then, thanks to the Slim Entertainment Crew and particularly to man and manager Olawale. Thanks to you I actually have a job when this piece of work is handed in. Luv ya! 1 The notorious Editor in Chief in the movie and book «The Devil Wears Prada». 3 And finally, I would like to dedicate my thesis to my late father Egil Martinussen. You encouraged me to contact David Blunkett to ask for the interview. And despite not living to see the finished product, I’m guessing you’re spying on me from the spirit world with mum and that you’ve both read every word Oslo, November 2014 4 Contents 1. Background ........................................................................................................................................ 10 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 10 1.1 Two elements of study ................................................................................................................ 10 1.1.1 The scandal element ............................................................................................................ 11 1.1.2 The disability element .......................................................................................................... 12 1.2. Research questions..................................................................................................................... 14 1.3 Thesis outline............................................................................................................................... 15 2. Scandals ............................................................................................................................................. 15 2.1 Etymology and history of the word ‘scandal’ .............................................................................. 15 2.2 Sex, money, power & talk - four types of scandals ..................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Sex: The Profumo affair ........................................................................................................ 17 2.2.2 Financial scandals: Sahlin, Berlusconi and Mandelson ........................................................ 18 2.2.3 Power scandals: The Watergate affair ................................................................................. 19 2.2.4 Talk scandal .......................................................................................................................... 19 2.2.5 Scandal types and the Blunkett scandal ............................................................................... 20 2.3 The scandal characteristics .......................................................................................................... 20 2.3.1 The first characteristic: ......................................................................................................... 21 2.3.2 The second characteristic: .................................................................................................... 22 2.3.3 The third characteristic: ....................................................................................................... 22 2.3.4 The fourth characteristic: ..................................................................................................... 23 2.3.5 The fifth characteristic.......................................................................................................... 23 2.4. The mediated scandal ................................................................................................................ 23 2.4.1 Mediated versus localized .................................................................................................... 23 2.4.2 The rise of mediated scandals .............................................................................................. 24 2.5 The structure of mediated scandals ............................................................................................ 25 2.5.1 Pre-scandal phase ................................................................................................................. 25 2.5.2 The phase of the scandal proper .......................................................................................... 25 2.5.3 The culmination phase ......................................................................................................... 26 2.5.4 The aftermath ....................................................................................................................... 26 2.6 Scandals and democracy ............................................................................................................. 26 2.7 Front region versus back region .................................................................................................. 27 5 2.8 Final comment to chapter two .................................................................................................... 28 3. Disability portrayal in the media ......................................................................................................
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