Competing narratives in framing disability in the UK media: a comparative analysis of journalistic representations of facial disfigurement versus practices of self-representations online

Garrisi, D. and Johanssen, J. 2018. Competing narratives in framing disability in the UK media: a comparative analysis of journalistic representations of facial disfigurement versus practices of self-representations online. JOMEC Journal. 12, pp. 128-144. https://doi.org/10.18573/jomec.172

TitleCompeting narratives in framing disability in the UK media: a comparative analysis of journalistic representations of facial disfigurement versus practices of self-representations online
AuthorsGarrisi, D.
Johanssen, J.
Abstract

By using discourse analysis, this paper compares and contrasts the journalistic coverage of the story of a beauty blogger with facial disfigurement with her blog. On the one hand, we will show the extent to which a self-representational account may align with the journalistic coverage, reinforcing rather than contesting mainstream representations of disability. On the other, we will demonstrate how a person with a disfigurement can use blogging to reclaim her own identity and challenge the medical objectification of her body perpetuated by mainstream media. This research found that rather than being mutually exclusive, journalism and blogging can play a complementary role in shaping the society’s understanding of the complexities and contradictions surrounding disfigurement.

KeywordsDisfigurement, Self-representation, Local journalism, Beauty blog, Narrative
JournalJOMEC Journal
Journal citation12, pp. 128-144
ISSN2049-2340
Year2018
PublisherCardiff University Press
Publisher's version
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.18573/jomec.172
Web address (URL)https://jomec.cardiffuniversitypress.org/articles/abstract/10.18573/jomec.172/
Publication dates
Published08 Feb 2018
FunderQuintin Hogg Trust
LicenseCC BY-NC-ND 3.0

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