Abstract:
The first purpose of this study was to examine how athletes with disabilities have been described and portrayed in the newspaper coverage during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. The second purpose of this study was to explore the socio-cultural perspectives and ideals on athletes with disabilities in the newspaper coverage during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games from the U.S. and Korean newspapers. The last purpose of this study was to compare newspaper coverage from the U.S. and Korea newspaper on how the newspapers differently and similarly described and presented athletes with disabilities. For completion of these purposes, this study has examined and analyzed the newspaper texts and photographs during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. This study was involved in the 14 days of newspapers from September 3rd to 22nd, 2008, in USA Today from the U.S. and 15 days of newspapers from September 3rd to 22nd, 2008 in Donga Ilbo from South Korea during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. The results showed that: (1) Hegemony of able bodied and male athletes exists in the newspaper coverage in USA Today and Donga Ilbo; (2) Athletes with disabilities and female athletes have been received less attention in newspaper coverage than able bodied and male athletes; (3) The coverage of USA Today on athletes with disabilities and disability sport during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games have been trivialized and marginalized; (4) The treatment of female athletes with disabilities have depicted as passive image in Donga Ilbo, whereas no treatment in USA Today; (5) Lack of newsworthiness on athletes with disabilities in USA Today was found; and (6) Gender and race issues in the newspaper coverage in USA Tdoay and Donga Ilbo are still present. For further research, the newspaper coverage in other countries during the Paralympic Games will be helpful to confirm the treatment and description on athletes with disabilities and disability sports. In addition, the study that examines the coverage on athletes with disabilities through the Internet site which is dominated in current period will be required because of impact of technological current period.
