Evaluation of Disability Perspective in the Context of Turkish Television Series Broadcast After 2010

Abstract

The media in general and television series, in particular, are influential on the mentality of the society. It is known that media have an undeniable influence on almost all of society. In this study, which was conducted between 05.11.2021 and 01.06.2022, the effect of some television series published after 2010 on the social disability phenomenon was examined. In the examinations, theoretically, the evaluation of the sequences was made by taking Goffman's Stigma theorem to the center. In this evaluation, it was examined how they included disabled characters in roles inspired by real life. Although there is the fact that the roles in the TV series can be different from real life, it has been observed that Turkish television viewers are influenced by these roles in the TV series and match them with their own lives. The study was carried out using the qualitative research method. Content analysis method was used as a research design for the evaluation made in the context of Turkish television series in the research. As samples, the TV series Çukur, Camdaki Kız, Güllerin Savaşı, Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki, Leyla ile Mecnun were chosen. In the selection of the series, the viewing rates, the presence of the disabled character, and the publication after 2010taken into account. Based on the findings, it has been determined that the view of the television series towards the disabled is problematic. Disabled characters have fewer scenes in the series than other actors. And disabled characters are in supporting roles. When we look at the TV series that are the subject of the study in detail, it is seen that the disabled character, who is shown to be very weak mentally or physically, was removed after a few episodes by either committing suicide or being killed. In all the series, the disabled character is male, and there are no female disabled characters. However, it is known that there are male and female disabled persons in our society. At this point, no gender difference is observed. At the same time, the disabled male character in the series is shown emotionally alone and needy. The woman with whom the disabled character falls in love in the TV series Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki not in love with the disabled character but with her brother, who is shown to be healthy and strong in the series. The disabled character, which is often shown in the middle of complex relationships, can be understood as someone who is alone and therefore has a mental problem. On the other hand, the scenes of disabled characters in the TV series Çukur, Camdaki Kız, Güllerin Savaşı, Öyle Bir Geçer Zaman Ki, Leyla ile Mecnun are less than those of physically healthy characters. This situation shows that disabled individuals are represented in the media in a way that may cause false inferences and with less roles than healthy individuals. It is thought that these situations pave the way for the audience to perceive or evaluate disability differently and for the negative aspects that may occur in the social view of the disabled.