The representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Jordanian media

Oweis, Zein Al Maha Rami Wahdan (2026) The representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Jordanian media. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Of an estimated 1.3 billion people around the world, 16% of the world’s population are disabled (World Health Organisation 2025). This statistic asserts that persons with disabilities are the largest minority on the planet. Jordan has a population of 11,530,854 people (World Meter 2025), of whom around 651,396 people have a disability (Handicap International 2023).

This doctoral research investigates how persons with disabilities (PWDs) are represented in the Jordanian media, in particular in newspapers, broadcast TV and their social media extensions. Evidence collected from in-depth interviews, focus groups and content analysis shows that different disability tropes and models are present in relation to the representation of PWDs in Jordanian media. Disability representation in the Jordanian media is affected by different surrounding social, cultural, economic and political factors. The media and disability sectors are also affected by these same factors as well as societal and cultural preconceptions and prejudices, lack of media and journalistic training, lack of education, knowledge and awareness about disability.

PWDs are underrepresented in Jordanian media, and when they do feature the media tend to represent them as either victims or heroes. These representations impact on the lived experiences of Jordanians with and without disabilities. The thesis uncovers the different representational tropes used for PWDs, explores why they are represented in such a manner, why the Jordanian media focuses narrowly on such representations, and examines how these representations are affecting the media and disability sectors. It also provides possible solutions to combat these factors and representational tropes.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: N Fine Arts > NE Print media; P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1990 Broadcasting
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts
• Supervisor's Name: Sorensen, Dr. Inge, Holdsworth, Professor Amy and Boyle, Professor Raymond
• Date of Award: 2026
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2026-85979
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 01 Jun 2026 07:55
• Last Modified: 01 Jun 2026 07:59
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85979
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85979