Disability Representation in French and Tunisian Media: A Comparative Analysis of Paralympic Games Coverage

Authors

  • Abdelhakim Chrif Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia; Research Laboratory (LR23JS01) “Sport Performance, Health & Society”, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Valentina Stefanica Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, Pitesti, Romania
  • Halil Ibrahim Ceylan Department of Physical Education of Sports Teaching, Faculty of Kazim Karabekir Education, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
  • Raouf Hammami Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Imen Ben Amar Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia; Research Laboratory (LR23JS01) “Sport Performance, Health & Society”, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Sabri Gaied Chortane Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of La Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia; Research Laboratory (LR23JS01) “Sport Performance, Health & Society”, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
  • Nicola Luigi Bragazzi Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, Canada; Human Nutrition Unit (HNU), Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Medical School, Building C, Via Volturno, 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
  • Luca Puce Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
  • Raul Ioan Muntean Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University “1 Decembrie 1918” of Alba Iulia, Alba Iulia, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.3/889

Keywords:

body, social representations, athletes with disability, media coverage, Paralympic Games, gender

Abstract

This study is part of a broader investigation into the portrayal of disability within the context of the Paralympic Games. Focusing on media coverage from 2008, 2012 and 2016 in French and Tunisian newspapers, representing two distinct cultural landscapes, we explore the nuances of how disability is depicted. Employing a multifaceted approach involving statistical analysis utilizing the Chi-squared test, discourse content analysis, and photo analysis, we delve into uncharted territory by examining the treatment of impaired athletes in Tunisian media. Our findings highlight significant disparities and instances of discrimination, not only between disabled and able-bodied athletes but also among genders within each nation. Of particular concern are the disparities in photo representation, notably the portrayal of Tunisian women athletes. By contextualizing our findings within the existing body of literature, this study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of disability representation in sports media. Furthermore, it contributes to a deeper understanding of societal attitudes towards disability and offers actionable recommendations to foster more inclusive media coverage in the future.

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Published

2024-08-12

How to Cite

Chrif , A., Stefanica, V., Ceylan, H. I. ., Hammami, R. ., Ben Amar, I. ., Gaied Chortane, S. ., Bragazzi, N. L., Puce, L. ., & Muntean, R. I. . (2024). Disability Representation in French and Tunisian Media: A Comparative Analysis of Paralympic Games Coverage. Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 16(3), 168-192. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/16.3/889

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