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Representation of Disability in Media: a Study of Abled Differently Programme

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Representation of Disability in Media: a Study of Abled Differently Programme REPRESENTATION OF DISABILITY IN MEDIA: A STUDY OF ABLED DIFFERENTLY PROGRAMME BY JACKLINE UNDISA LIDUBWI A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI DECEMBER 2017 i DECLARATION Declaration by the Candidate This project is my original work and to the best of my knowledge has never been presented for a degree award in any other university. …………………………… ……………………… Jackline Undisa Lidubwi Date K50/81378/2015 This project has been submitted for examination with my approval as University Supervisor. …………………………… ……………………… Dr. George Gathigi Date School of Journalism University of Nairobi ii DEDICATION This research is lovingly dedicated to my husband Andrew Beecher, and my adorable sons Havila Chris and Prince Hansel. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Many people have assisted me in one way or the other in carrying out this research. I would like to convey my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to this research effort by offering moral and material support. I would like to acknowledge all my lecturers for the knowledge they have imparted in me. More specifically, I am indebted to my supervisor, Dr. George Gathigi for his constant encouragement, professional guidance, and commitment to my work. My special thanks go to my academic mentor Dr. John Ndavula for his moral and intellectual support. I would like to thank the entire School of Journalism and mass communication academic staff for standing with me through the academic journey. My heartfelt thanks go to my family; my dad Chris Lidubwi, mum Katherine Kadi, and my Parents in Love Joseph Macharia and Wanyaga Mbogo for their spiritual support in my academic endeavor. Finally, I would like to sincerely thank my husband Andrew Beecher, who is the most supporting and most amazing husband in the whole world. To my babies Havila Chris and Prince Hansel, thank you for understanding and loving me always. 2017 was a tough year for me, balancing my studies and travels, but through it all you still loved me and prayed for me. Finally, I owe it to the Almighty God who made all things possible. iv ABSTRACT The study examined representations of disability in media focussing on the Kenya national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Television (KBC TV). The study investigated how KBC TV’s premier program Abled Differently is representing People with Disabilities (PWD). The study mixed qualitative and quantitative methods with the population being Abled Differently program, and stakeholders in the disability movement. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 26 episodes of Abled Differently, and a purposive sample of 10 key informants drawn from the program’s technical team and stakeholders in the disability movement in Kenya. Quantitative data was collected using a content analysis tool and analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was obtained using interview guides and analysed thematically. Findings indicate that Abled Differently show employs code-switching, sign language and subtitles that aid comprehension of content, and enhances program reach. The show centers on characters who appear rather than their disabilities. The show also features PLWDs as professionals. However, the producers need to develop a more critical angle when framing stories on PLWDs, so that myths on PLWDs are dismantled. Conclusions drawn from the study indicate that Abled Differently show was KBC-TV’s own production, following an original concept, which affords the media house flexibility in content selection. The show presents a paradigm shift from the stereotypical portrayal of PLWDs in mainstream media, which and potentially contribute to a more tolerant and inclusive society. Recommendations are that producers need to engage more stakeholders in the production of the show in order to give a more diverse and robust view of PLWDs issues, as well as critical and varied content. Further, more PLWDs can be portrayed undertaking everyday roles so as to promote their acceptance and inclusion in society. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION............................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION.................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................... iv ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ x LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................. 12 1.0 Overview .................................................................................................................... 12 1.1 Background Information ......................................................................................... 12 1.2 Problem Statement .................................................................................................. 16 1.4 Research Objectives ................................................................................................ 17 1.3.1 General Objective ............................................................................................. 17 1.3.2 Specific Objectives ........................................................................................... 17 1.4 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 17 1.5 Justification of the Study ......................................................................................... 18 1.6 Scope and Limitation .............................................................................................. 18 1.7 Operational Terms ................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................ 20 LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................................. 20 2.0 Overview ................................................................................................................. 20 2.1 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................... 20 vi 2.1.2 The Relevance and Explanation of Framing Theory ....................................... 20 2.1.3 Framing of PLWD Stories ................................................................................ 21 2.2 Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................... 23 2.2.1 Media in Kenya ................................................................................................ 24 2.2.2 People with Disabilities in Kenya .................................................................... 24 2.2.3 Media and Disability in Kenya ......................................................................... 25 2.4 Related studies on disability and media .................................................................. 25 2.5 Research gaps .......................................................................................................... 27 2.6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................ 28 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .................................................................................. 28 3.0 Overview ................................................................................................................. 28 3.1 Philosophical Paradigm ........................................................................................... 28 3.2 Study Approach ....................................................................................................... 28 3.2.1 Site of study ...................................................................................................... 29 3.3 Study Population ..................................................................................................... 29 3.4 Sample Size and sampling technique ...................................................................... 29 3.4.1 Sampling technique .......................................................................................... 29 3.4.2 Sample Size ...................................................................................................... 30 3.5 Instruments .............................................................................................................. 31 3.5.1 Content Analysis Tool ................................................................................... 31 3.5.2 Interview guide .............................................................................................. 31 3.6 Data Collection Procedure
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