October 2011
Research shows a ‘significant increase’ in the number of negative stories about disabled people in national newspapers over the last six years.
What: The Bad News for Disabled People report shows an increase (from 2004-05 and 2010-11) in media stories about benefit fraud – portraying disabled people as “scroungers”, and about disabled people as economic burdens.
Why significant: The report concludes that much reporting replicates the government’s position on disability and helps “lay the groundwork” for removal of support structures.
Citations
'Bad News for Disabled People', University of Glasgow, 2011
'More news is bad news, says report', Disability News Service, 2011