The TV channels in Moldova allot a reduced volume of airtime for subjects concerning socially underprivileged groups, shows a sociological study made by Soros Foundation Moldova. According to the authors of the research, the TV channels promote a stereotyped image, presenting the socially deprived groups as sick, powerless and unable to work persons, Info-Prim Neo reports. The study centered on five TV channels monitored. There was analyzed the frequency of the materials about such socially underprivileged groups as physically and mentally disabled persons, HIV-infected persons, homosexuals, elderly and poor people, and Romany people. Study author Ludmila Malcoci, Doctor Habilitate of Sociology, said the materials about socially deprived groups are usually produced at the hospital and in the street and rather seldom at the workplace, in gyms or TV studios. Such topics as the successful integration of these groups with the community, their involvement in community events and the social inclusion of the disabled are not sufficiently covered. According to the study, the materials about persons with disabilities represented only 0.2% of the total materials analyzed. Most of the materials promote the idea that the disabled persons face serious health problems and continue to be a burden for society. The subjects about homosexuals were mainly associated with discrimination, religious practices and immoral or violent behaviors. The most frequent topics about the Romany people concerned education, the human rights and culture. Ludmila Malcoci said the TV channels continue to promote a different image of the men and women. The women are featured mainly in articles about culture, the mass media, health and social protection and presented as ordinary employees, mothers or grandmothers, while the men are presented as representatives of the local and central public authorities and parties, as persons with higher education and a highs social status. “The journalists should portray the disabled as ordinary persons involved in joint activities with other persons and not lay emphasis on their disability or inability. There must be worked out a guide on the use of correct terminology when covering different deprived groups. The journalists treating these subjects should be trained,” said Ludmila Malcoci. Soros Foundation Moldova executive director Victor Ursu said the study reveals the people’s perceptions of discrimination in Moldova. He stressed that the role of the mass media is very important as the press creates the image of a certain section. “100% of the image we have is created by the media and it is important how the media presents a reality,” said Victor Ursu. The sociological study “Covering of the socially underprivileged groups by TV channels in Moldova” was based on 17,000 materials about deprived persons.