This study compared the portrayal of physical disability in Disney animated films across its Classical (1937-1959), Renaissance (1989-1999), and Revival (2009-2022) eras. Atextual analysis was conducted on six selected films from these eras that depict characters with physical disability: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Dumbo (1941), Peter Pan (1953), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Brave (2012), and Luca (2021). The study found that Disney films from the Classical Era (1937-1959) and the Renaissance Era (1989-1999) often depicted characters with disabilities as outsiders struggling for acceptance. However, starting from the Renaissance Era (1989-1999), the films began to portray these characters as multi-dimensional individuals. Recent films emphasize empowerment and selfdiscovery, depicting characters like Massimo in Luca as capable and independent, with their disabilities minimally mentioned and not defining their entire plotline. The study concludes that recent positive and nuanced portrayals of disability in Disney films reflect current societal calls for inclusivity.
This study investigates the factors influencing Israel-related attitudes among Romanians in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas-led terror attack on Israel. Using a national survey conducted in February 2024, we examine whether antisemitism, Islamophobia, self-identification as progressive or liberal, political orientation, and media consumption predict attitudes toward Israel among the Romanian population. The main findings show that people holding antisemitic attitudes are more inclined to develop negative attitudes towards Israel. Islamophobia proves to be a significant predictor of positive attitudes towards Israel; negative views of Islamist groups are correlated with stronger support for Israel. Individuals’ self-identification as progressive emerges as another significant predictor of positive attitudes toward Israel. Interestingly, media consumption does not significantly predict positive attitudes towards Israel, underscoring the more substantial role of ingrained prejudices in shaping people’s views of Israel. These findings enhance the understanding of public attitudes during international conflicts or high-profile events and provide insights for policymakers, strategic communication (stratcomm) practitioners, educators, and human rights advocates aiming to reduce prejudices and encourage balanced discourse during turbulent times.
The recent rise of populist political forces in Romania reflects a broader European trend but marks a significant local shift. Our study analyzes the populist phenomenon from both the demand side (i.e., the Romanian electorate’s populist inclinations), and the supply side (examining the characteristics of the political offerings aligning with these inclinations). Using nationally representative survey data (N = 2,714), we estimate Romanians’ populist attitudes by applying a methodological approach that allows for a nuanced categorization. Additionally, our analysis links strong populist attitudes to support for the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), and we investigate the party’s ideology to assess its alignment with populist radical right characteristics. This study contributes to understanding Romanian populism by analyzing the interplay between societal demand and political supply.
Recent global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts in Ukraine, and elections have significantly transformed news engagement, often leading to information overload and pushing many individuals to disengage from traditional news channels in favor of algorithm-driven social media platforms. Understanding these shifts is important because of their implications for informed citizenry and its association with democracy. Given the context, the current study explores age-related differences in news consumption patterns among Romanian audiences using focus group discussions. The sample includes two age cohorts: younger adults (aged 20–30), or digital natives, and older adults (aged 55 and above), whose media habits were shaped before the digital era. Thematic analysis and natural language processing techniques revealed clear age-group distinctions. Main findings suggest that younger participants tend to consume news via social media platforms, favoring algorithmically curated, emotionally engaging, short-form content. They strategically avoid distressing or repetitive news content. On the other hand, older adults still rely on traditional media like television, emphasizing source credibility, comprehensive coverage, and civic responsibility. When asked about what a healthy media diet is, there are further generational contrasts. Younger individuals viewed media consumption as an individual responsibility. By contrast, older adults emphasized the collective responsibility of educational and institutional systems to guide news consumption practices. These findings highlight the profound impact of digital platforms on generational news consumption behaviors, emphasizing the need for tailored media literacy initiatives, journalism practices, and policy frameworks to address age-group divides and contribute to the emergence of a healthier information ecosystem.
This study investigates whether there is evidence of divergence in older adults’ digital media use as they age. Theoretically, we build on studies of digital media and ageing, contributing to the idea of ‘aged heterogeneity’ and the concept of technology generations. In contrast to previous studies that have mainly approached the topic through qualitative means, we analyse a three-wave (2016, 2018 and 2020) cross-national panel survey (N = 10,805; n = 3889) using linear growth curve models to answer two research questions. The respondents were Internet users aged 60 and over (in 2016). Our results show no evidence of an increasing divergence in digital media use with the age of the respondents. We also found no evidence that increasing heterogeneity is related to specific technology generations or countries. Quite the contrary, we found evidence of ‘aged homogeneity’ in digital media use. However, digital media use increased for all the generations studied except the oldest. The findings contribute to the idea of active ageing with digital media and call for more research on converging media practices.
