Philippine E-Journals

Viewing Experience of Deaf People on TV News Programs: Case Study of Filipino Sign Language

Rudolf Anthony A. Lacerna | Rosa Bella M. Quindoza | Angelito P. Bautista Jr.

 

Abstract:

This paper is a case study on the viewing experiences of young deaf people on the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) conveyed through the major television news programs in the Philippines – TV Patrol (ABS-CBN), Frontline Pilipinas (TV5), and 24 Oras (GMA7). The paper explicitly analyzes the issues and concerns of the deaf community on the inclusion of FSL in news programs. Through purposive sampling, members of the deaf community who were regularly exposed to the news programs are selected to participate in the focused group discussion. Aside from that, a professional translator assisted the facilitation of discussion to verbalize the sign languages. The result shows that the young deaf people raised various concerns on identified issues that include interpreter, inset size, the evolution of signs, and the feedback mechanisms of the news programs. The community believes that these will be addressed through different strategies in coordination with the broadcasting networks, the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (Association of Philippine Broadcasters), the deaf community, and other stakeholders.