Research on the Integrated Development of Disability Services in the Greater Bay Area From the Perspective of Media Functions

Abstract

As the main window for the public to understand the outside world, mass media has an undeniable influence on economic and social development. The way in which the media reports on issues related to people with disabilities not only affects the voice of the disabled community, which determines the public image of the “disappearing” disabled community, but also affects the public awareness and recognition of the disability cause. To further explore the current status of mainstream media’s coverage of the disability cause, this article combines relevant concepts from media function theory and analyzes reports related to the integrated development of the disability cause in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by using the examples of the Zhuhai Special Zone Daily , Southern Metropolis Daily , and Shenzhen Special Zone Daily since the release of the Development Plan Outline for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in 2019. The results show that the “Integrated Development of the Disability Cause in the Bay Area” presented in the reports has the characteristics of service-oriented and cooperation-based, which is in line with the overall trend of the development of China’s disability cause. However, due to factors such as a small overall quantity of related reports, a relatively single style of reporting and information sources, and a strong promotional tone, there still exists a certain difference between the “media reality” and objective reality constructed by these reports. Therefore, this article suggests that institutional media should fully strengthen their coverage of relevant topics, while enhancing the timeliness and readability of reports by enriching various reporting elements. By further enhancing the effectiveness of reporting and communication, the integrated development of the disability cause in the Bay Area can be effectively promoted.