Disability Rights Promotion International Monitoring Disability Rights in

Disability Rights Promotion International Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Monitoring media coverage of disability rights issues Theme 2 Andrew Laing York University, 6 May 2008

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project INTRODUCTION To be covered today 1. Background on media monitoring project 2. Methodological approach & panel of experts 3. Sample selection and data compilation 4. Deliverables

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project BACKGROUND: Purpose of study and previous research Ø Purpose: examine Canadian media coverage and depiction of people with disabilities from the perspective of human rights. Ø Little previous academic research in this area: • Media analysis of PWD focuses on terminology and overall portrayal of PWD • Little analysis examining issues from rights perspective • Very little quantitative Canadian media research

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project BACKGROUND: Key questions • What are the main stories and issues driving coverage of PWD and the issue of disability rights? What stories are being ignored? • Do media recognize disability rights in covering of key issues surrounding PWD? • Are these rights portrayed as affirmed or denied? • Are new rights recognized? • Is the coverage of PWD viewed as balanced? • Does coverage vary by region or over time?

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project BACKGROUND: DRPI Theme 2 Monitoring Team • Marcia Rioux, Project Director, York University • Daniel Drache, Co-lead, York University • Ray Cohen, Co-lead, Canadian Abilities Foundation • Geoffrey Reaume, Co-applicant, York University • Andrew Laing, Co-applicant, Cormex Research

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH: A Six Step Process Questionnaire design Panel of experts Sample collection Data compilation Analysis Presentation of results Further research

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Panel of experts • • • Key to methodological process is the involvement and feedback from PWD in print and broadcast media Involved at all stages of the research, from preliminary discussion of direction and questionnaire design, to reviewing and commenting on findings and assistance in presentation of findings and directing future research Two members currently: 1. Stephen Trumper: 20+ years experience editor/journalist + professor at Ryerson 2. Sheyfali Saujani: producer and archivist, CBC Radio

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Questionnaire – key elements Bibliographic: • Date • Outlet • Reporter • Type • Section • Headline • Prominence/ placement PWD generic: • PWD type • Story • Frame • Terminology • Stakeholder presence Disability rights: • Type of right • Affirmed/denied • Themes

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Approach to sample collection • Panel recommended a focus on stories rather than traditional terms – stories provide key reference points for public and media around PWDs. • Identification of top PWD-related stories by two sources: 1. Legal and media experts in PWD community 2. Lexis-Nexis survey of 1 -2 media outlets over three-year period using PWD terms. • Goal: identify 10 -20 top stories over three-year period – build search criteria around stories: e. g. Via Rail ruling, CTA 1 P 1 F, election of Sam Sullivan as Vancouver mayor, Robert Latimer, David Onley appointment as L-G, etc.

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Sample media outlets • Final sample based on combination of number of key stories, sample outlets and length of sample period to obtain a sample size of approximately 3, 000 5, 000 items. • • • Globe and Mail Toronto Star National Post Ottawa Citizen La Presse • • • Winnipeg Free Press Vancouver Sun CBC-TV The National CTV National News CTV Canada AM

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Data compilation • Student researchers to obtain sample based on boolean search lexicon developed from story list • 2 -3 student coders to code each item based on criteria established by panel of experts + DRPI Theme 2 team. • Training + intercoder reliability testing • Data to be weighted based on estimated audience reach as determined by NADBank and Nielsens Media Research

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Reporting results and future research directions 1. Develop academically-publishable papers on issue of how media covers PWD and disability rights 2. Present findings at academic conferences 3. Organize press conference to present findings to media aka 2003 SARS study. 4. Establish one-on-one meetings with key editors/producers to gauge views and policies on disability rights and media coverage based on findings. 5. Compare results with coverage of PWD-specific media.

Disability Rights Promotion International- Canada Monitoring Disability Rights in Canada SSHRC funded project Questions and discussion