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

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

A Research Paper by Diana Garrisi, published by JOMEC Journal

Authors: Diana Garrisi and Jacob Johanssen

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.

Keywords: Disfigurement, Self-representation, Local journalism, Beauty blog, Narrative

How to Cite: Garrisi, D. & 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. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18573/jomec.172

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About Diana Garrisi

Dr Diana Garrisi is a Research Associate at the Communication and Media Research Institute of the University of Westminster. She is co-investigator with Dr Jacob Johanssen of the research project ‘Facial Disfigurement in the UK media: From Print to Online’. A conference on the theme of disability and the media titled ‘Different Bodies: (Self) Representation, Disability and the Media’ will be held at the University of Westminster on 23 June 2017.