Need More Positive Stories Covered in the Mass Media.

The use of the mass media constructs a viewer’s perspective based on how a story presents to the public. A public service announcement (PSAs) is an approach which may impress the public regarding a specific topic that the media wants to deliver by using magazine, newspaper, radio station, television station, Web site, outdoor venue, etc.

For example, the images of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Taiwan newspapers included “dispirited” (44.5%), “needy” (32.7%), and “affirmative” (22.8%) images, as result of stigma impression in Taiwan (Chen, Hsu, Shu, & Fetzer, 2012). It implies that the media (i.e., newspapers) potentially create the negative atmosphere on individuals with ID. An investigation of how Special Olympics Games volunteers perceived the inclusion via the mass media showed that parents and mass media (particular television and movie) were the top two sources for them to learn about ID (Chunxiao & Lifang, 2012). However, the study did not address how the volunteers know about individuals with ID and what the mass media represented the information of the ID populations. Based on these two recent studies, I can assume the mass media plays an important role in delivering the more positive attitude on “inclusion” or “acceptance” among individuals with ID.

In order to facilitate the health promotion of individuals with ID, Special Olympics (SO), undoubtedly, is the largest organization in the world to provide community supports to engage them in sports events, health screening, and other health advocacy activities. In my opinion, the mass media may not only promote international/national SO games but also regional games and cover the more positive stories in local newspapers. It may help a local community to learn about what is happening regarding the ID population in the community.

                                              (2014 Special Olympics National Game)

                                          (Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run)

References

Chen, C.-H., Hsu, K.-L., Shu, B.-C., & Fetzer, S. (2012). The image of people with intellectual disability in Taiwan newspapers. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 37(1), 35-41.    

Chunxiao, L., & Lifang, W. (2012). A survey study on attitudes of Special Olympics games volunteers toward the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in China. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 5(1), 28-38.