For many Deaf people, news in written English is not the same as news in their own language. The Daily Moth was created to fill that gap, bringing the day’s stories to viewers directly in American Sign Language.
What Is The Daily Moth?
The Daily Moth is a news program delivered in ASL, covering trending stories and Deaf-related topics. New shows are posted Monday through Friday, and viewers can watch on YouTube, Facebook, and the website, or sign up by email to be notified of new episodes.
The Host
The program is hosted by Alex Abenchuchan, a Gallaudet University alumnus with a degree in Religious Studies, who also attended the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Over time the Daily Moth team has grown to include additional anchors, and it has worked on adding captions to its videos so that more viewers can follow along.
Why Deaf-Led Media Matters
Mainstream news often reaches Deaf audiences through captions or an interpreter in a corner of the screen. A Deaf-led news show changes that:
- Language access first, with news delivered natively in sign
- Deaf perspectives on stories that affect the community, from education to technology to rights
- Community connection, since viewers see themselves reflected on screen
- Role models for young Deaf people interested in journalism and media
A Resource Worth Following
The Daily Moth is also listed among the resources for following Deaf news and culture around the world, alongside other Deaf-led media and organizations. If you work in media or communications, it is a useful example of how a small team can serve a global audience through video.
The Takeaway
Access is more than captions. The Daily Moth shows what it looks like when news is made by and for the Deaf community, and it is easy to follow along for free.
Interested in International Sign or the global Deaf community? Follow OneDeafWorld.com for more coverage of IS, accessible technology, and events from around the world.