Monitoring of media and societal attitude towards people with disabilities

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    Monitoring of human rights of persons with disabilities in Moldova

    Monitoring of media and societal

    attitude towards peoplewith disabilities

    Monitoring period: November 14, 2012 February 10, 2014

    Chisinau 2014

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    Monitoring of media and societal attitude towards people with disabilities

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    Author: Marcela Dilion, PhD in sociology

    Coordinators of the edition: Igor Meriacre, project coordinator, Association MOTIVAIE of Moldova

    Elena Raoi, project assistant, Association MOTIVAIE of Moldova

    Translation of the text into English: Alexei Latu

    Computer processing: DIRA AP SRL

    All rights protected. The content of the Report may be used and reproduced for non-proit purposesand without MOTIVATIEs prior agreement by indicating the source of information.

    Association MOTIVAIE of Moldova

    1 A Victoriei Street, Vadul lui Vod, Republic of Moldova, MD-2046

    Tel/fax: (+373 22) 41 71 55

    E-mail: [email protected]

    www.motivatie.md

    Center for Society Orientation COD

    Milutina Milankovia 68/3, 11070 Novi Beograd, Beograd, Srbija

    Tel: +381 (0)11 311 38 60

    E-mail: [email protected]

    www.cod.rs

    Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI)

    York University, 5021 TEL Building 4700 Keele Street Toronto,

    Ontario M3J 1P3 CanadaTelephone: 1-416-736-2100 ext. 20718, Fax: 1-416-736-5986

    E-Mail: [email protected]

    Delegation of the EuropeanUnion in the Republic of Moldova

    Str. Koglniceanu 12,

    MD-2001 Chiinu, Moldova

    Tel: (+373 22) 50 52 10

    Fax: (+373 22) 27 26 22

    ISBN 978-9975-4022-6-2.

    364.2:659.3

    D 41

    This report was prepared as part of the project Monitoring of human rights of persons with disabilities inMoldova, implemented by Association MOTIVAIE of Moldova in partnership with Center for Society Orien-

    tation- COD from Serbia, with the inancial support of the European Union in the framework of the programEuropean Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

    The content of the Report reects the views and opinions of the authors and in no way reects the ofcial opinion of

    the European Union.

    Uniunea European

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    Contents:

    Acronyms 4

    Introduction 5

    Summary 6

    Chapter 1: Methodology of the research: 8

    1.1 Subject, purpose and objectives of the research 8

    1.2 The process of mass-media monitoring and stages of the research 8

    1.2.1Duration of the monitoring 8

    1.2.2 Types of monitored media reports 8

    1.2.3 The process of mass-media monitoring 8

    1.2.4 Applied instruments during the monitoring process 9

    Chapter 2: Main tendencies on approaching disability in the monitored mass-media 10

    Chapter 3: Topics and issues approached by monitored mass-media sources 12

    3.1 Health, abilitation and rehabilitation 12

    3.2 Social participation 13

    3.3 Incomes security and support services 14

    3.4 Education 15

    3.5 Private and family life 16

    3.6 Information and communication 17

    3.7 Work 17

    3.8 Physical and mental health 18

    3.9 Legal status and protection, access to justice 18

    3.10 Monitoring of UN Convention on human rights of persons with disabilities 19

    3.11 Religion 19

    Chapter 4: Perspectives to approach disability in the monitored mass-media 21

    Chapter 5: Used terminology in presenting disability 24

    Conclusions and recommendations 26

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    ACRONYMS

    LPA Local public authorities

    MLSPF Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family

    UNO United Nations Organization

    UNICEF United Nations Childrens Fund

    WHO World Health Organization

    NGOs Nonguvernamental Organizations

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    INTRODUCTION

    The most efcient way to mobilize the society support

    in the eld of human rights is mass-media.

    The social protection bodies of the population of the Republic of Moldova record about 183 000

    people with disabilities1and most of them face up different barriers and obstacles in the society, of

    medical and economic character, frequently being abused and discriminated. According to the dataprovided by the MLSPF, each tenth person with disabilities lives in a residential institution, being

    violated the right to have a family and to live in the community.

    The discriminatory attitude towards persons with disabilities is a consequence of the devalued poli-

    cies of the state. As a rule, persons with disabilities are perceived as being sick and helpless personsthis approach leading to their exclusion from the educational system, been violating their rights to

    get employed and as a result they are perceived by the society as a burden for the social protectionsystem.

    Mass-media represents a social phenomenon reecting different aspects and tendencies in the society,

    is an indispensable source of information which studies the public opinion, contributing not only at

    its highlighting but at its formulation, too. In this context, we point out that mass-media reect morefrequently the aspects referring to health, social protection and reects less the social inclusion of

    persons with disabilities, valuation of the persons with disabilities social roles, their relation at thecommunity level, etc.

    At the same time, it is important to point out that the voice of persons with disabilities is rarely heardduring the mass-media discourse.

    In the conditions in which the Republic of Moldova has ratied the UN Convention on Rights of

    Persons with Disabilities, according to which the state undertakes to observe and assure the obser-

    vance of the rights of persons with disabilities to community life, to family, education, employment,to health aid, social assistance, it is necessary to revise the approaching models regarding the role of

    the person with disabilities in the society. In this context, mass-media play an important role in chang-ing the societal attitude towards persons with disabilities by promoting their positive image; through

    their involvement and by valuation of their social roles. The UN Convention on Rights of Personswith Disabilities includes provisions related to measures on encouraging the mass-media institutions

    to present persons with disabilities in a non-discriminatory way.

    In this context, the research Monitoring ofmass-media and of the societal attitude related to per-sons with disabilitiesprovides a comprehensive analysis of the way the issues related to disabilityare approached.

    1http://www.statistica.md/newsview.php?l=en&id=4253&idc=168

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    SUMMARY

    1. Monitoring of mass-media and of the societal attitude related to persons with disabilities wasperformed during the 14th of November 2012 10thof February 2014.

    2. The monitored mass-media sources included 4 TV channels (TV 7, Moldova 1, Jurnal TVand Publika TV); 4 newspapers (Adevarul, Timpul, Jurnal de Chisinau and Komsomoliskaia

    Pravda) and the news portal Unimedia. All in all there were analyzed 300 media reports from9 sources of mass-media.

    3. During the monitoring period, most media reports related to persons with disabilities werebroadcasted by TV 7 and Moldova 1 with 71 media reports; followed by Jurnal TV and

    news portal Unimedia with 40 articles; Publika TV and Jurnal de Chisinau with 26 mediareports; Adevarul has published 15 articles; Timpul 9 articles and Komsomoliskaia Pravda

    2 articles.

    4. During the monitoring process it was found out that there are tendencies to broadcast/publish

    most of the media reports related to persons with disabilities during the week dedicated to

    inclusion of persons with disabilities and inclusively on the 3rd

    of December, on the Interna-tional day of persons with disabilities. During this period there were broadcasted/published 22media reports, constituting about 7,3% from the total of broadcasted/published media reports

    during the reference period.

    5. The research highlights that only in 34% of monitored reports the rst source of information

    related to disabilities was the person with disability. At the same time, the research has re-vealed that the most frequently in media reports and articles is heard the voice of the ofcials

    (Parliament, Government LPA, etc.) 105 media reports; the voice of the person with dis-ability was heard in 102 media reports; in 75 media reports was heard the voice of the family

    members of the person with disabilities.

    6. Most frequently, the mass-media has reected the physical impairment 30%; intellectual

    impairment 17% and sensory impairment 16%. The less reected was the psychosocialimpairment 5%, frequent this being confused with the mental disease.

    7. Most frequently, in mass-media was approached the topic related to Health, habilitation andrehabilitation of persons with disabilities 93 media reports (31%); Social participation

    65 media reports (about 22%); Incomes security and support services 47 media reports(16%); Education 41 media reports (about 14%); Private life and family life 37 media

    reports (about 12%); Information and communication 29 media reports (about 10%);Work 27 media reports (9%); Physical and mental security 20 media reports (about

    7%).

    8. Less attention was paid to issues related to Legal status and protection, access to justice 12

    media reports (4%); Monitoring of UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities 4 media reports (1,3%) and the topic related to religion 3 media reports (only 1%).

    9. During the monitoring process of mass-media was has been also analyzed issues which re-ect a cross-cutting approach. Was established that out of those 300 monitored media reports,

    about 52% refer to the situation of children with disabilities; 11% refer to women and girlswith disabilities; 11% refer to poverty and disability; 10% reect issues related to accessibili-

    ty; 7% of media reports reect cases or situation of discriminations; 5% refer to reasonable ac-

    commodation of the institutions/services and only 4% refer to older persons with disabilities.

    10. In approaching the disability, most frequently, it is used the economic/charity perspective, 119media reports (about 32%), followed by medical perspective 115 media reports (30%) and

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    the rights perspective 106 media reports (28%). The less used was the disability approachfrom the heroic/overcoming perspective (only 10%).

    11. In about 38% of monitored media reports there were used negative, discriminatory terms,most frequently being used the terms like invalid, level of invalidity, invalidity pen-

    sion, handicap etc.

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    Chapter 1: METHODOLOGY OF THE RESEARCH

    1.1 Subject, purpose and objectives of the research

    The research examines the way in which mass-media in the Republic of Moldova is reporting issues

    related to disability.

    PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

    The purpose of the research consists in monitoring of mass-media in the Republic of Moldova on

    identication of messages transmitted by mass-media related to persons with disabilities and their rolein the society, models to approach disability and to determine the societal attitude towards persons

    with disabilities.

    Objectives of the research:

    1. Monitoring the periodicity with which the mass-media approaches issues related to persons with

    disabilities;

    2. Analysis of the media reports quality reected in mass-media related to persons with disabilitiesand their role in the society;

    3. Determining the approach perspectives of disabilities existing in the mass-media in the Republic

    of Moldova.

    1.2 The process of mass-media monitoring and stages of the research

    1.2.1 Duration of the monitoring

    Monitoring of mass-media and of the societal attitude was performed during 14thof November 2012 10thof February 2014.

    1.2.2. Types of monitored media reports

    News Debates, comments

    Editorials (blogs)

    Special programs: debates/talk-shows and interviews

    1.2.3 The process of mass-media

    Audiovisual

    The operator who has monitored the TV programs has recorded on the computer the channels and hasanalyzed the broadcasted programs within the following time span:

    Table 1. TV channels and monitored programs

    TV7

    - Archive of audio, video and written news

    Jurnal TV

    - Jurnalul (Journal) at 13:00, in Romanian language, from Monday to Sunday;

    - Jurnalul (Journal) at 19:00, in Romanian language, from Monday to Sunday;

    - Viaa merge mai departe (Life goes on) 15:45, in Romanian language, on Saturdays;

    Publika TV

    - Archive of audio, video and written news

    Moldova1

    - Mesager (Messenger) 19:00, in Romanian language, from Monday to Sunday

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    Newspapers

    The operator, who has monitored the newspapers has selected articles related to persons with dis-

    abilities from 4 publications:

    Table 2. Monitored newspapers

    Newspaper name Coming out

    Jurnal de Chisinau Tuesday, FridayTimpul Monday Friday

    Adevarul Monday Friday

    Komsomoliskaia Pravda Thursday

    Electronic media

    From the electronic media was monitored all the articles from the news portal unimedia.md.

    Table 3. Monitored news portal

    Name of the news portal Monitoring period

    www.unimedia.md Daily

    During the reference period there were monitored 9 sources of mass-media (see Table 4), all in allthere were analyzed 300 media reports.

    Table 4. Number of monitored mass-media sources and media reports

    No. Source of the monitored mass-media Number of monitored media reports

    TV7 71

    Jurnal TV 40Moldova 1 71

    Publika TV 26

    Jurnal de Chisinau 26

    Timpul 9

    Adevarul 15

    Komsomoliskaia Pravda 2

    Unimedia 40

    Total 300

    1.2.4 Applied instruments during the monitoring process

    The mass-media monitoring process was done taking into account the codebook Societal attitudes

    monitoring (through mass-media). This guide contains clear and concise instructions regarding

    coding of the media reports and use of forms to collect the information.

    During the monitoring process there was used Form for data collection (see Annex 1), including

    questions related to date of publication, mass-media section, type of story, type of impairment re-ected in the mass-media, approached topics, topics/cross-cut subjects, voice of the person, negative

    terms used in the media reports and perspectives used in approaching disability.

    In order to make more efcient the information collection process the consultant has used a Formfor data collection(synthesis),in which were additionally included the name of the article/report andsome fragments from the monitored media reports.

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    Chapter 2: MAIN TENDENCIES ON APPROACHING DISABILITY IN

    THE MONITORED MASS-MEDIA

    During the monitored period, most of the media reports related to persons with disabilities werebroadcasted by TV 7 and Moldova 1 with 71 reports; followed by Jurnal TV and news portal Uni-

    media with 40 articles; Publika TV and Jurnal de Chisinau with 26 media reports; Adevarul has

    published 15 articles; Tim-pul 9 articles and Komso-moliskaia Pravda 2 articles

    (see Diagram 1).

    During the monitoring pro-cess was found out that there

    are tendencies to broadcast/

    publish most of the media re-ports related to persons with

    disabilities during the weekdedicated to inclusion of

    persons with disabilities andinclusively on the 3rdof De-

    cember, on the Internationalday of persons with disabili-

    ties. During this period therewere broadcasted/published

    22 media reports, constitut-

    ing about 7,3 % from the to-tal of broadcasted/published media reports during the reference period. All the monitored TV chan-

    nels had at least one media report related to persons with disabilities and actions undertaken duringthe inclusions week. Most of the reports were done by Publika TV 8 media reports. With regards to

    newspapers, only Adevarul and the news portal Unimedia have presented articles on this issue.

    During the research was found out that only in 34% of monitored media reports, as a rst source of

    information about disabilitywere persons with disabili-

    ties themselves (see Diagram2).

    During the research wasfound out that most frequent-

    ly in media reports and arti-

    cles is heard the voice of theofcials (Parliament, Gov-

    ernment, LPA, etc.) 105media reports; the voice of

    the person with disabilities isheard in 102 media reports;

    in 75 media reports is heardthe voice of the family mem-

    bers of the person with dis-ability; in 46 media reports is

    reected the opinion of the researchers and specialists in the eld (psychologists, physicians, teach-

    ers, etc.); organizations actively involved in the eld of social protection of persons with disabilitiespresent their opinion/views in 30 media reports, service providers are heard in 21 media reports,

    and the charitable organizations and other NGOs not involved in the eld of protection of persons

    Diagram 1. Number of media reports per each monitored source of mass-

    media related to persons with disabilities

    Diagram 2. Presence/absence of the voice in mass-media of the person

    with disabilities

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    with disabilities cumulatively in 20 media reports; in 13 media reports is heard the voice of interna-tional organizations/foreign ofcials (UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, etc.) see Diagram 3.

    It is important to point out that most frequently the voice of the person with disability is heard on TV

    channel Moldova 1 (37 media reports), TV 7 (21 media reports) and Jurnal TV (16 media reports).The same TV channels made heard the voice of the person with disabilities through presenting the

    opinion of a family member of the person with disability: Moldova 1 27 media reports; Jurnal TV

    20 media reports and TV 7 10 media reports.

    At the same time, TV 7 and Moldova 1 present in a signicant number of media reports the voiceof the ofcials from the Parliament, Government, LPA, etc. (38 media reports and respectively 26).

    However, the monitored sources reveal in about 10% of the monitored media reports the voice ofNGOs actively involved in the eld of protection of persons with disabilities, as follows: Moldova

    1 9 media reports; TV 7 7 media reports; Publika TV and Jurnal TV with 5 media reports, Uni-media 3 media reports

    Most frequently, the monitored

    mass-media revealed the followingtypes of impairments

    (see Diagram 4):

    Physical impairment 30%;

    Intellectual impairment 17%;

    Sensory impairment 16%.

    From the total number of media re-

    ports which reect the sensory im-pairment (36 media reports) most

    frequently reveal the sensory im-pairment related to vision about

    67%, followed by sensory impair-

    ment related to hearing 25 % andonly 8% of the media reports re-veal language impairment.

    Psychosocial impairment 5%.

    According to Diagram 4, in the

    category Other are included about32% from the media reports which

    reveal issues related to such diseas-es like: cancer (39 media reports);

    heart diseases (8 media reports);diabetes (7 media reports); tumors

    (4 media reports); buttery disease(3 media reports); HIV (2 media

    reports); tuberculosis (2 media re-ports); hepatic cirrhosis (2 media

    reports), etc.

    It is important to mention that out

    of the total 300 monitored mediareports, in 96 which constitutes

    32%, it is not specied the type of

    impairment.

    Diagram 3. Whose voice is heard in the monitored media reports?

    Diagram 4. Types of impairment reected in the mass-media

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    Chapter 3: TOPICS AND ISSUES APPROACHED BY MONITORED

    MASS-MEDIA SOURCES

    The topics approached in the mass-media sources are diverse and varied. Nevertheless, the presented is-sues were categorized according to a grid, being established the topic structure reected in Diagram 5.

    Most frequently in mass-media was reected the topic on Health, habilitation and rehabilitation

    of persons with disabilities 93 media reports (31%). Another topic frequently revealed is Socialparticipation 65 media reports (about 22%); followed by the topic categoryIncome security and

    support services 47 media reports, constituting about 16% out of the total number of monitoredmedia reports.

    At the same time, the mass-media has revealed a series of issues related to Education 41 mediareports (about 14%); Private and family life 37 media reports (about 12%); Information and

    communication 29 media reports (about 10%); Work 27 media reports (9%); Physical andmental security 20 media reports (about 7%).

    Less attention was paidto issues related to Legal

    status and protection, ac-cess to justice 12 media

    reports (4%); Monitor-

    ing of the Convention onRights of Persons with

    Disabilities 4 media re-ports (1,3%) and the topic

    related to Religion 3media reports (only 1%).

    3.1 Health, habilitation and rehabilitation - 93

    The most frequently reected topic is related to Health, habilitation and rehabilitation of persons

    with disabilities 93 media reports. Most frequently, the topic is approached on TV channel Mol-dova 1 (23 media reports); TV 7 (21 media reports); Jurnal TV (19 media reports) and Unimedia (16

    media reports).

    Media reports included in this category reect especially health problems persons with disabilities

    are facing with, aspects related to prevention and early intervention, their treatment, etc. The nameof the media reports are suggestive and highlight the following issues: Mandatory test. Starting with

    2013, all the children of 2 years old of age, shall mandatorily undergo the autism test; Saved lives.News and novelties in the eld of medicine during the last years; Autism can be cured. NGO We

    understand the autism comes to help parents who have children suffering of autism; Starting with2014 the new born with disabilities shall benet of speech language therapist consultations; Inte-

    grated in the society. Persons with mental impairments shall benet of health aid in hospitals situatedin the districts; A new laboratory (within the Oncologic Institute was opened a center for cancer

    diagnosis); etc.

    A series of media reports reect health problems persons with disabilities are facing with and is re-

    quested the help from the behalf of the community in order to cover the cost of expensive medicaltreatment, as a rule abroad of the country: Rome, a young, seriously ill person is seeking your help;

    Diagram 5. Topics/issues approached in the monitored mass-media reports

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    Parents of a child from Rezina, born with no gender, need about 15 thousand Euro for an operation;Money collection for a girl suffering of infantile cerebral paralysis; Fight for life (a family is

    seeking nancial assistance to start treatment of their girl); Save a child (for an operation of a child

    having a kidney tumor); A chance to life; Football for life (a child suffering of buttery diseaseneeds an expensive treatment); The last hope (a child needs an expensive operation in Kiev) etc.

    At the same time, are reected some problems related to lack of rehabilitation services for persons

    with disabilities and cases of malpractice: Condemned to indifference. In Moldova there are no state

    rehabilitation institutions for children suffering of autism; Four doctors from the Mother and ChildCenter are accused for malpractice; Destroy of the system (is mentioned that the residential

    facilities could be closed and persons suffering of mental diseases could benet of equal rights).

    Psychiatrists afrm that persons with mental impairments are considered strangers of the natu-re, having no chance to a normal life if they are not integrated within the society

    TV 7, Cotidian, 29.10.2013

    News portal Unimedia has published on this topic 16 media reports, constituting about 40% from the

    total number of media reports published and monitored during the reference period. Less than half ofthe reected issues on this subject refer especially to ndings obtained in the eld of medicine: Therst patient who has communicated with physicians through the power of the mind; Revolutionary

    therapy: a girl of 7 years old from USA was cured of cancer with the help of HIV; Was discovered

    a new vaccine preventing Alzheimer; The scientists have created a new virus that can recover thevision. More than half of the media reports refer to seeking assistance for medical treatment or op-

    erations for persons with health problems.

    3.2 Social participation - 65

    The second topic, from the point of its frequency is Social participation (65 media reports) cover-

    ing issues that reect the independent life of persons with disabilities, participation to political andcultural life, recreation, sport, etc.

    Most frequently this topic is revealed by TV channels Moldova 1 (13 media reports); TV 7 (12 mediareports); Publika TV and Jurnal TV with 11 media reports; Unimedia 8 media reports. The other

    sources of monitored mass-media have reected this topic in an insignicant number of reports.

    As a rule, the media reports on this topic are reected mostly from the perspective of charity perspec-

    tive, public events that are more frequently organized on different holidays (3rdof December inter-national day of persons with disabilities, 1stof June international childrens day, winter holidays,

    etc.). The names of the media reports that follow bellow conrm this statement: In discussion with

    the mayor (on the international day of persons with disabilities from the community); The worldperceived by them (children with disabilities have presented their pictures within a picture exhibi-

    tion); A smile for children (was organized a concert for children of soldiers with disabilities); 5 thof December voluntariate day; Destiny at Messenger (reveals the life of a sportsman with dis-

    abilities) etc.

    On this topic are reected issues related to involvement of persons with disabilities in sports activi-

    ties: Equal opportunities (The tennis federation has organized a friendly match with tennis playersusing wheel chairs); Powerlifting Cup (sportsmen wit disabilities show their abilities in powerlift-

    ing); Basketball with one hand (focuses on the disability of a sportsmen, though having one handachieves excellent results); In wheel chair to the Olympic games (about the tennis players using

    wheel chairs who train for Olympic games) etc.

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    With reference to the cultural life of persons with disabilities, the monitored mass-media reectsorganization of different concerts, festivals and exhibitions with the participation of persons with

    disabilities: Life together. Children with disabilities have participated at the festival Life together;

    Happy for one day. Was organized a sales exhibition of the works made by children with disabili-ties; The optimism of the butteries. The association Debra Moldova invites at a fair of forgotten

    things and a photo exhibition; Festival Golden apple (50 children, inclusively children with dis-

    abilities have participated at this festival); Beauteousness without barriers. Ludmila Iachim occu-pied the 3rdplace at a beauty contest for persons with disabilities; The theatre for children with dis-abilities. Actors without stage and audience; Jurnal TV helps children with disabilities (presents a

    fair of presents) etc.

    A series of media reports related to this topic have showed up involvement of persons with disabili-

    ties in raising awareness and information of community regarding lack of access to public institu-tions: Access ramps with handicap. The access ramps in Chisinau are not designed according to the

    standards in construction and We have ramps but these are useless (are presented the results ofa research performed by Association MOTIVATION); No parking places. There are no parking

    places for persons with mobility disabilities in Moldova etc.

    Is presented a story of a young boy who has suffered a trauma at the vertebral column and now

    uses the wheel chair. Due to the insistence of Alexandru, the Mayoralty of Hincesti has allocatedresources to build an access ramp.

    Id like to have a normal life, even though I have certain needs, a little more special than otherpeople have.

    Adevarul, 02.07.2013

    3.3 Incomes security and support services 47

    This topic is frequently approached (47 media reports); practically every sixth report reects thistopic.

    It is important to mention that most frequently the topic related to Incomes security and support ser-

    vices is reected in the following sources of mass-media: TV 7 (16 media reports); Moldova 1 (11

    media reports); Jurnal TV (7 media reports); Publika TV and Unimedia with 4 media reports. Theother sources of mass-media have presented 1-2 media reports on this topic.

    This topic reveals two major issues:

    1. The rst issue refers to such an aspect like increase of the social services for persons withdisabilities, of the provided media report help, poverty faced by them, etc.: Persons of the

    1stlevel of disability shall benet of support on the international day of persons with disabili-ties; 300 lei for persons with disabilities who have suffered from the Chernobyl catastro-

    phe; The drama of the old people. Dozens of older persons are in a deplorable situation;The compensation for transport services for persons with disabilities is increased.

    More than four million lei for persons with disabilities, for children left without parents, for olderpersons and other categories of disadvantaged people being at the poverty limit, have been ille-

    gally directed in the pocket of other persons, inclusively of those who entitled to manage the socialfunds.

    The Chief of the Social Inspection: From the money allocated to persons with disabilities, home-

    less children, older persons who have no assistance, through cheekiness and swindling, a categoryof social assistants do live quite a good life.

    Timpul, 16.11.2012

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    2. The second issue reects the support services addressed to persons with disabilities: Hap-pier children. The Parental Professional Service continues to develop in Moldova; Special

    children. Parents of children with disabilities learn from teachers how to care them; WHO:

    Moldova is an example of reform for persons with disabilities (is reected the fact that ourcountry has obtained performances through creation of social services Community home

    and A protected house for persons with disabilities); Emergency assistance in 5 districts

    of the country there were created mobile teams offering assistance to persons with disabilitiesat home; New services persons with disabilities form Chisinau can benet of two newservices: personal assistance and mobile team; Integrated within the family for 7 young

    people from the orphan asylum from Orhei was created an alternative placement service;Newness for children with disabilities: was created the Center Tony Hawks etc. At the

    same time are reected subjects which denote lack of services for persons with disabilities,

    poor quality of these services, insufciency of incomes and miserable living conditions, facedby persons with disabilities: Solutions for old people of no one; Help only on paper (re-

    ect non-functioning of the rules related to personal assistance service).

    Whether they do not use a wheel chair, are blind or have mental impairments, they share the same

    patients room without any difference (about older persons from an asylum from Cahul district)

    Jurnal TV, 12.03.2013

    3.4 Education 41

    A topic of a great importance reected in the mass-media sources refers to the right to education ofpersons with disabilities. Out of those media reports on this topic, 16 reports are presented on TV

    channel Moldova 1; 10 media reports on TV 7, with 4 media reports on Jurnal TV and Jurnal deChisinau, with 3 media reports on Publika TV and Adevarul and only 1 media report on Unimedia.

    The topic on education covers issues that can be divided as follows:

    a)The best practices regarding observance of the right to qualitative educational services for per-sons with disabilities: A school for all; Education within the hospital (within the Onco-

    logical Institute was opened an educational center for patients with cancer, so as not to be left

    behind the school curriculum); Japan helps our children (reects how Japan offers a grantfor integration of children with disabilities in school and in society); Social inclusion (re-

    ects how children with autism are integrated in the kindergarten and school alongside withother children); Different, but together (presents a lyceum with inclusive practices from

    Floresti district); Promote human values. Children from the Center Atlant have promoted

    human values through dancing, poetry and songs; They shall study in regular schools. Pu-pils from the boarding school from Ialoveni shall study in regular schools (the residentialschool is closed and children with disabilities shall be integrated in regular schools) etc.

    b) Unsuccessful cases, violation of the right to education: Alone among people (relates about achild not being admitted to a musical school and the school he is going is not provided with an

    access ramp); Problems of persons with hearing impairments (are mentioned the problemsfaced by children with hearing impairments, lack of specialists in this eld, etc.); Parents of

    a pupil with movement impairments accuse the administration of a lyceum of discrimination(the pupils parents assert that their child was not admitted because of the disability); Pupils

    from the country do have limited access to education, assert the members of the national coun-

    cil of the pupils (the cause: the educational institutions are not provided with access ramps)etc.

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    At the same time, some media reports reect in a discriminatory language the educationalprocess of children with disabilities and even misinform the public opinion related to some

    reforms implemented in this eld.

    The school curriculum is perceived with more difculties by these children, this is because they

    are administered medicines. We have lessons in the form of games, otherwise they would not learn

    the material TV 7, Cotidian, 06.03.2013

    Children with special needs shall join pupils with no deciencies, shall sit at the same desk andshall study together with other pupils...

    TV 7, Cotidian, 06.08.2013

    NGO chairman: In most cases our children are somewhere on a sleeping ledge or in a special scho-

    ol. We would like our children to be included in the mass educational system, together with other

    children Moldova 1, Mesager, 10.08.2013

    Pupils from our country do not have full access to education. This is the result of the rst reportdone by the National council of the pupils. According to them, children abandon the school beca-use of poverty, and those with disabilities do not go to school because these are not provided with

    access ramps for wheel chairs.TV 7, Cotidian, 31.10.2013

    Following the reform from 2007 referring to liquidation of institutions for children with move-

    ment impairments, there were closed 9 schools of this kind and by 2015 other 4 schools shall beliquidated

    TV 7, Cotidian, 08.04.2013

    Reporter: Children were integrated through the inclusive education program which is being imple-

    mented for 10 years.

    Moldova 1, Mesager, 30.09.2013

    The last two statements are erroneous: with reference to the rst one the reform presuppos-

    es reorganization of the residential system for children assistance and the data presented are

    erroneous; with reference to the second statement we would like to mention that the program

    for development of inclusive education is being implemented since 2011.

    c) Actions taken by the ofcials in order to integrate children with disabilities in the educationalsystem: For orphan children (refers to the assistance offered by the LPA to orphan chil-

    dren, inclusively to children with disabilities for integration within the educational system);

    School supplies from the Minister (children have benetted of school supplies).

    3.5 Private and family life 37

    The monitored sources of mass-media have reected in 37 media reports issues referring to Private

    and family life.

    Most of the media reports on this topic are reected on Jurnal TV (9 media reports); Moldova 1 (8

    media reports) and Jurnal de Chisinau (7 media reports).

    This topic was reected largely within the program The life goes on, Jurnal TV, being presented

    stories of some persons with disabilities who have succeeded to overcome the barriers and who haveachieved success in their personal and professional life.

    A series of media reports reveal situations and persons who faced up the disability they have, succeed-

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    ing to transform disability into ability; Disability is not a barrier; The hope which overcomes themedicine; Do you remember Liliana (the story of a girl without one hand).

    At the same time are reected subjects which present cases of family violence: Farther monster(story of a woman who acquired the disability as a result of bad treatment from the behalf of her hus-

    band); The girl inhumanly beaten by her farther (the story reects a case of inhuman treatment of agirl from the behalf of her farther, the mother of whom has a disability).

    3.6 Information and communication 29

    Almost each tenth presented media report bears an informative character and focuses on presentation

    of statistical data, ascertainments, changes at the system level regarding protection of persons withdisabilities. All the monitored mass-media sources contain 1-2 media reports on this topic, but most

    frequently these reports are reected on TV 7 and Moldova 1.

    As a rule, the media reports included in this category of topics refer to public opinion information on

    some statistical data, participation of ofcials to public events and/or ascertainments of the interna-tional organizations regarding protection of persons with disabilities: The rst Lady has participated

    at the 6th

    international reunion on autism; UN Report: Moldova, with serious drawbacks related tosocial inclusion and human development; The number of persons with mental disabilities decreas-

    es, afrms the Ministry of Health; Over 40 thousand of persons die annually in Moldova becauseof non-transmissible maladies; Access ramps etc.

    3.7 Work 27

    Work represents a very important topic reected in the mass-media sources. Out of those 300 media

    reports, 9 % refers to this subject. Most frequently this topic is analyzed on Jurnal TV (7 media re-ports), Publika TV (6 media reports); Moldova 1 (5 media reports); TV 7 (4 media reports), 2 media

    reports each are reected in Adevarul and Jurnal de Chisinau and 1 media report in the newspaper

    Timpul.

    As a rule, are presented media reports referring to persons with disabilities who have succeeded to getemployed and obtain success. To this subject refers the media report Write in the darkness about the

    writer Mihail Ciubotaru, who is writing his works being absolutely blind. Within the program Lifegoes on it is presented the story of a dancer who has succeeded to overcome the situation she has

    lived, as a result of a trauma to the vertebral column, coming back to her activity after many years of

    rehabilitation. Another successful story refers to a young girl with visual impairments who has gradu-ated psychology and has opened a massage therapist cabinet in her own locality.

    At the same time, the media reports related to this topic reect some problems on integration of per-

    sons with disabilities in the labor system and actions performed in this sense: With disabilities to

    work; Left isolated. The employers are not ready to employ persons with disabilities; Opportuni-ties on employment. In Moldova is being drafted a law on social entrepreneurship; Social projects

    NGOs could develop social programs that would facilitate employment of persons with disabilities.

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    It is a problem to convince an employer to employ a person with disability, because this means res-

    ponsibility and that is why mane refusePersons with disabilities have complained that theycannot enter the institutions because of lack of access rampsMany access ramps for persons

    with disabilities do not comply to the standardsPublika TV, 01.12.2012

    According to the new law, persons with disabilities shall work only 6 hours per day and benet of 2

    month of leave of absenceEconomic agent: These provisions for economic agents are repellent;these are are constraints, requirements and no advantages to create new work places

    Publika TV, 13.08.2013

    One of the employers was enthusiastic when he saw me. He said he would employ me, he hasaccompanied me to the table and when we started to discuss he has observed my impairment. My

    voice has changed. He got so excited that he has blown down the glass on the table. He said he hassome other applicants and will call me up. It was clear, that even if I had necessary knowledge, he

    would not employ me.

    Adevarul, 24.09.2013

    3.8 Physical and mental security 20

    The topic on Physical and mental security represents reective issues for 20 media reports from 6

    sources of mass-media. Most of the media reports on this issue were presented on Jurnal TV (8 mediareports), followed by Unimedia (3 media reports). 1-3 media reports were presented by TV 7, Publika

    TV, Adevarul and Jurnal de Chisinau.

    The analyzed issues refer to different situations on behavior of persons with disabilities; aspects re-

    lated to physical security and drawbacks of the system, etc.

    Theres no a mechanism to protect persons with disabilities in the residential institutions. There are

    a lot of irregularities in these residential institutions.

    Publika TV, 06.12.2013

    An issue of high resonance is the case presented by mass-media related to a doctor from a residentialinstitution that has violated his patients: Patients rapist; The doctor has rapped a girl?

    On this topic refer the subjects related to suicide cases: He had thrown himself from the height (presents

    the case when a young boy of 17 years old with mental impairments has committed a suicide) etc.

    3.9 Legal status and protection, access to justice 12

    An insignicant number of media reports reect the topic related to Legal status and protection, ac-cess to justice. On this topic have been analyzed only 12 media reports: Unimedia 4 media reports;

    Adevarul 3 media reports; Jurnal TV 2 media reports; Publika TV, Jurnal de Chisinau and Timpul with 1 report each.

    The analyzed media reports refer to a case of medical malpractice: Ministry of health: Doctors arenot guilty in the case of the child who has acquired the disability as a result of an anesthesia this

    case has been analyzed largely and had a high resonance, but there were not identied solutions forthe child and for his family.

    In a media report is presented the situation according to which a citizen of the Republic of Moldovawas seized, being a member of a criminal group dealing with trafcking of persons with disabilities,

    forcing them to beg on the territory of Russia.

    The newspaper Adevarul presents on this topic the reports The day of the invisible children

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    (referring to some journalistic investigations, which have discovered the deplorable situation of thechildren from the Phthisiopneumology Center from Cornesti, boarding school from Orhei, the school

    for pupils with hearing impairment from Calarasi); Tolerance is learned from childhood (an inter-

    view with N.Hriptievschi, expert from Moldova within the European Commission against Racismand Intolerance); Arts and mustiness (relates the story of a war veteran from Afghanistan, who has

    built a balcony above the Exhibition Center Brancusi, and which may break down in any moment,

    creating big troubles).

    Near to a happy life of the children theres another world the world of the children with disabili-

    ties of which the politicians do not remind

    Adevarul, 03.06.2013

    An ofcial from the National scientic practical center for pediatric surgery Natalia Gheorghiu:What is a person with disabilities? Additional allowances. It is a burden not only for the family but

    also for the state. A burden for all the active population.

    Adevarul, 04.10.2013

    Has addressed to politicians like Ghimpu, Lupu, Filat, Voronin, but no one has taken intoaccount. Virginia Caldarari took her baby of 9 years old and went to the Ministry of Health. She put

    the baby on the table of the Minister and refused to walk away. The Minister, Usatii, has advised herto take the child to the orphan asylum It is just a fragment of a staggering story told by Virginia,

    about the life of her child who was been in a coma of the 4thgrade for about six months, after a visitto the dentist

    Timpul, 18.03.2013

    3.10 Monitoring of UN Convention on human rights of persons with disabilities - 4

    UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratied by the Republic of Moldova in2010. Monitoring of the implementation of this international document was subject of only 4 media

    reports, being reected by TV channels Moldova 1 2 media reports; TV 7 and Publika TV with 1report each.

    In the presented media reports is highlighted the rights of children with disabilities being frequentlyviolated; about the modications in legislation making reference to the fact that persons with dis-

    abilities shall have a determined work capacity depending on their professional skills and not on theirdisability; in the context of the international day of persons with disabilities is made reference to the

    UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities; it was delivered the message of the UN Sec-retary on elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities.

    3.11 Religion 3

    The topic referring to religion is reected in only three media reports, these being presented on TV 7,

    Moldova 1 and Jurnalul de Chisinau.

    The belief and the church are perceived as determinant factors in the integration process of persons

    with disabilities: Lets forget the soviet priest (a media report reecting integration of persons withhearing impairments through the church); Miraculous healing (a person with disabilities advise

    people to turn to belief and afrms that this helps him to get cured).

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    APPROACH OF CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

    During the monitoring process of mass-media sources there were also analyzed cross-cutting issues.

    It was established that out of those 300 monitored media reports, about 52% refer to the situation ofchildren with disabilities; 11% to women and girls with disabilities; 11% to poverty and disability;

    10% reect issues on accessibility, 7% of the media reports reect cases of discrimination situations;

    5% refer to reasonable accommodation of the institutions/services and only 4% refer to older persons

    with disabilities (see Diagram 6).

    With reference to topic on poverty and disability, an increased interest presents the conclusions of the

    UN Rapporteur on poverty and human rights.

    Conclusions of the UN Rapporteur on poverty and human rights: Women are discriminated, theRoma minority is segregated and persons with disabilities are abused or exploited.

    The level of vulnerability increases if the persons with disabilities are Roma, have parents who haveleft the country or persons from mono parental families.

    The situation of persons with disabilities is poor and it is not assured their general integration. Im

    worried about the fact that the old system, inherited from the soviet period gives advantage to exclu-sion from the society of the persons with disabilities, especially of persons with intellectual, psy-

    chosocial impairments. Ive received reports, according to which these persons are gravely abused:physically, mentally and sexually.

    Adevarul, 17.09.2013

    Diagram 6. Cross-cutting topics/issues approached by the mass-media

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    Chapter 4. PERSPECTIVES TO APPROACH DISABILITY IN THE

    MONITORED MASS-MEDIA

    Most frequently in approaching disability is used the ECONOMIC/CHARITY PERSPECTIVE,

    119 media reports (about 32%) are based on this approach (see Diagram 7). The economic/charityperspective in approaching disability is predominant in the following sources of mass-media: TV 7;

    Moldova 1; Unimedia and Jurnal TV.

    The economic/charity perspec-

    tive frames persons with dis-abilities in the context of char-

    ity actions and the image ofthe persons invoke pity. Person

    with disabilities, according to

    this perspective are perceivedas social victims that are as-

    sisted/supported by people ofgood faith.

    Chairman, Association Debra Moldova: Do you know who our enemies are? Those who dontknow the reality somebody wears under the clothes. Somebody sees you so strong, calls you infan-

    tile, insistent or capricious. Its not like this. Yes, I have a strong character, but I could not succeed

    otherwise. When you go to a state institution and they close the door in front of you or discriminate

    you I cant be a molly-coddle and I could not obtain what Im obtaining nowTV 7, Cotidian, 23.09.2013

    She was crawling like a frog and she needed some orthopedic surgeries, which weve done af-terwards. It was very hard until the muscles got used to. Ive realized a success she can walk if

    hold by hand.

    Unimedia, 04.06.2013

    It is important to point out that this approach perspective implies two denite aspects: on the one handexists signicant media reports which reect charity actions addressed to persons with disabilities

    constituting about 62% out of those 119 media reports; on the other hand exist media reports referring

    to actions/inactions performed by state institutions related to provision of social services for personswith disabilities and a decent living 38%.

    I live on 830 lei; its the disability pension of the son from family Andrievschi from Soroca. The

    boys mother accuses the authorities because it is violated her right to benet of a salary as a perso-nal assistant. She cares her son of 21 years old, him being a person with disability from the child-

    hood having no a wheel chair in such situation are other persons with disabilities from Soroca

    Moldova 1, Mesager, 04.04.2013

    Another perspective to approach disability which is met, from the point of view of its frequency,practically at the same level as the economic perspective is the MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE. The

    monitored media reports are approached through the medical perspective in a proportion of 30% (115media reports).

    The medical perspective presents disability as a biomedical story, characterized as a physiological

    Diagram 7. Approach perspectives of disability in mass-media

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    condition, understood through the medical point of view. In this context, it is important to pointout that the mass-media sources reect mostly the disability from the medical prospective model,

    approaching disability as an individual problem; promotes the approach model of persons with dis-

    abilities as dependent and who need medical treatments and assistance, justifying the way these per-sons with disabilities have been excluded systematically from the society. The medical perspective

    perceives disability as any other restriction or lack (as a result of damage, deterioration) of capacity

    to perform an activity in a certain way or taking into consideration what is considered normal for aperson.

    As a result of doctors inactions, a new born has suffered an irreversible cerebral injury, who has

    suffered a serious obstetrical asphyxiation resulted in a further disability of the child.

    Unimedia, 21.10.2013

    It is important to mention that this approach perspective leads to non-development of life skills, poor

    education and high level of unemployment among persons with disabilities. The medical approachleads to breaking off the natural connections with the family, community and the society in general.

    The third perspective to approach disability is RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE constituting about 28%(106 media reports) out of the total number of monitored reports.

    This approach perspective places disability within a larger social, political and economic context. The

    person with disabilities is placed in a larger whole of the structural conditions having a certain impact

    or creating different obstacles for persons with disabilities.

    The fourth approach perspective of disability is HEROIC/OVERCOMING PERSPECTIVE

    representing only 10% out of the total number of media reports.

    The heroic/overcoming perspective represents disability as a heroic event, focusing on personal re-

    sistance and capacity to overcome a disability. Some media reports reveal the person with disabilityas successful examples of courage and strength.

    Diagram 8. Number of media reports containing negative terms

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    Irina Corobca, owner of a therapy massage cabinet, a person with visual impairment: It is ne-

    cessary to ght to make out way in this life. We need will and strength to do something for ourvillage and for us.

    TV 7, Cotidian, 18.08.2013

    Everyday, life puts him in from of tormenting challenges but he doesnt give up. Being a user

    of a wheel chair, Dumitru Dabija is full of energy. For many years he couldnt use a wheel chair20 years have passed since UN has declared the international day of persons with disabilities. Du-mitru is an example worthy to be followed not only the persons with disabilities, but for all other

    people. Social assistant: He doesnt come to the Mayoralty to ask for pity but creates everythingwith his hands and for this I respect him and I would like all persons with disabilities to take him

    as an example Moldova 1, Mesager, 03.12.2013

    It was very hard for me; I didnt succeed to study the subjects which were obligatory for lyceum

    graduation (baccalaureate). At a certain moment, I even have decided to give up the school, but in

    the second year of my studies I have changed my mind, the subjects turned to be very interestingfor me that is why Ive decided to do my best to graduate the faculty...

    There were cases when some professors refused to explain me, they were telling me that I was in-

    capable to study. some professors do not allow the student to enter after them, there was a case

    when I was pulling the door from outside and the professor from inside

    Adevarul, 19.07.2013

    Xenia Siminciuc demonstrates every day that she is a winner. She has studied at a regularschool; she has graduated three faculties and sings jazz pro bono. Xenia: Children are very brutal.

    For many times they have insulted me because Im blind, that I cant study with themthe personneeds to develop continuously. If the person does nothing, in a couple of years he wont like what

    he sees in the mirror

    Adevarul, 16.07.2013

    Holds the double European record in powerlifting from Poland and Slovakia. The Moldovan

    sportsman, Stefan Rosca, has represented the Republic of Moldova in the Paralympic games inLondon, in 2012, in powerlifting competition. He succeeded to take the 9thplace in the category of

    75 kilograms, receiving from the Government a prize of 22.500 Euro. One of the biggest wish beca-

    me reality. He has bought a car to go to trainings, to the university without friends and cabdrivershelp who made him to pay more money for the simple fact that he is a person with disability

    Unimedia, 16.04.2013

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    Chapter 5. USED TERMINOLOGY IN PRESENTING DISABILITY

    In about 62% of the moni-

    tored media reports, mass-media has used neutral

    terms referring to persons

    with disabilities and in38% of the media reports

    there were used negative,discriminatory terms.

    In Diagram 9 is reected

    the connection betweenthe number of media re-

    ports containing nega-tive terms and number of

    non-discriminatory media

    reports for each source ofmonitored mass-media.

    Most frequently mass-media uses negative terms

    in the media reports presented on the following mass-media sources: TV 7 23 media reports containdiscriminatory terms; Jurnal TV 20 media reports; Jurnal de Chisinau 19 media reports; Moldova

    1 18 media reports; Publika TV 12 media reports; Unimedia 10 media reports; Timpul 6 mediareports; Adevarul 5 media reports; Komsomoliskaia Pravda 2 media reports.

    Most frequently used term having a negative connotation is the word invalid and conned to awheel chair/bed

    4300 of the 1stlevel of invalidity from Chisinau shall benet of assistance. The Mayoralty pro-mises that every invalid shall get 350 lei with the occasion of 3 rdof December .

    TV 7, Cotidian, 29.11.2012

    The invalids have communicated with persons who are in the same situation...We want to openin our village a center for invalids

    Moldova 1, Mesager, 02.12.2012

    is 16 years old and is conned to a wheel chair, but knitting and embroidering make sense for

    his life.

    TV 7, Cotidian, 07.12.2012

    According to the changes, 1stlevel invalids, conned to bed, shall receive an allowance for assis-tance of 300 lei

    TV 7, Cotidian, 21.12.2012

    Only in Chisinau there are over 6 thousand of oppressed persons for whom life became a real

    valley of mourning

    TV 7, Cotidian, 28.03.2013

    The result of the research have pointed out that the companies are not ready from the pointof view of accessibility and the persons with handicaps have a reduced productivity, do not have

    intellectual skills we cannot employ an invalid because this would affect the image of our orga-nization

    TV 7, Cotidian, 17.12.2012

    Diagram 9. Relation between the number of media reports containing negative

    terms and nondiscriminatory terms from the monitored sources of mass-media

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    There are some media reports which have quite a different, complex and close to the medical termi-nology which for sure it is not known by the large public. In the media report A little girl of one and

    a half year is urgently seeking help is presented the diagnosis of the child contained about 36 words

    (TV 7, Cotidian, 30.11.2012).

    With reference to the discriminatory/negative connotation terms and expressions, most frequently areused the following expressions included in the table below:

    Invalids;

    Invalidity pension;

    Conned to bed;

    Invalidity;

    Children and young personswith handicaps;

    Invalids of 1st, 2nd, 3rdlevel;

    Level of invalidity;

    Immobilized to bed;Invalid for the whole life;

    The child became a vegeta-ble;

    Deaf persons;

    Sufferers;

    Invalidity chair;

    Invalidism;

    Demented persons;

    Persons with psychical dere-gulations;

    Persons with mental deregu-lations;

    Immobilized to a wheel chair;

    Mental retard;

    Invisible people;

    Invalids day;

    Center for invalids;

    Crippled;

    Blind;

    Sightless;

    Deaf;

    Limping persons;

    Sick persons;

    Oppressed;

    Certicate of invalidity;

    Guinea pig patients;

    Those who are weaker;

    A country of invalids.

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    CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    The research report Monitoring of mass-media and of the societal attitude related to persons with

    disabilities has highlighted main tendencies reected by mass-media through the image and role ofpersons with disabilities in the society.

    Main conclusionspointed out on the basis of the monitored mass-media:

    1. The number of issues related to persons with disabilities is increasing mostly due to the en-gagements taken by the Republic of Moldova following ratication of the UN Convention on

    Rights of Persons with Disabilities;

    2. Practically, every second media report contains, besides the basic information, some statistical

    data related to persons with disabilities;

    3. Mass-media sources give priority to issues related to health, habilitation and rehabilitation of

    persons with disabilities, social participation, income security and support services;

    4. Mass-media approaches most frequently disability from the point of view of economic/charity

    perspective and medical perspective;

    5. The general tendency of the mass-media sources regarding usage of the terminology is inad-equate when referring to persons with disabilities and their families. A signicant part of the

    media report contains discriminatory and devaluated terms;

    6. A lot of media reports contained pictures of persons with physical/mobility impairments,

    though it is talking about another type of impairment;

    7. Most of the media reports do not offer solutions related to social and educational inclusion of

    persons with disabilities;

    8. Cases of violation of rights of persons with disabilities and cases of discrimination are not in-

    vestigated minutely and no one comes to this topic again in order to show the taken measures,etc.;

    9. Some sources of mass-media have shown a less professional accuracy in certain media re-

    ports, being observed the subjective opinion of the reporter who promotes pity and compas-

    sion towards persons with disabilities;

    10. After analyzing the mass-media sources we can state that some monitored media reports havecertain doubts concerning objectivity and correctness in presenting cases on private and fam-

    ily life of persons with disabilities, physical and emotional security, etc.;

    11. In presentation of some media reports was not observed the compulsoriness principal to use

    at least two sources of information;

    12. Is ascertained that a big part of the media reports about persons with disabilities are promoted

    with the occasion of different holidays and very frequently these have a segregated character;

    13. Lack of media reports referring to increase of the social role of persons with disabilities, are

    less promoted topics and issues on successful social and community integration of personswith disabilities;

    14. The voice of the person with disability, as a rule is not heard and even it is not offered the

    possibility to intervene in the discussion. In most of cases, the interests of persons with dis-abilities are presented by ofcials, journalists, NGOs representatives, service providers, etc.;

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    15. As a rule, persons with disabilities are presented in environments less valued as compared toother groups of people (in institutions, within social services, at the hospital, at home) a fact

    that inuences the image of this group of people.

    Recommendations:

    In order to increase the awareness level of the public opinion regarding the situation of persons with

    disabilities and elimination of stigmatization and discrimination, we come with the following recom-mendation:

    1. Consolidation of the journalists skills in the eld of disabilities in order to exclude the nega-

    tive terminology and use the social model approach of disability;

    2. In approaching disability is highly important for the journalist to put in front the person and

    his/her skills and not the impairment she/he has;

    3. It is important not to approach the impairment as sensational news;

    4. Shall not be used labels and euphemisms in approaching disability;

    5. Issues related to persons with disabilities shall be reected so as not to violate their rights andnot put persons with disabilities in unfavorable roles;

    6. It is necessary to promote success stories and to promote heroic perspective of persons withdisabilities in order to promote their social inclusions;

    7. Coming back to topics of high resonance in order to show the evolution of the cases presented

    before;

    8. Observance of the main journalistic etiquette: mandatory presence of both sources and separa-

    tion of facts from opinions.

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