The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities(NCPWD), Mr. James Lalu, has urged media houses to pay more attention to reporting on disability rights.
Saying “disability rights are human rights” The ES who was ably represented by the Director, Social Integration, NCPWD, Mr. Lawrence Idemudia highlighted the strides the country has achieved in promoting disability rights under President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ES explained the role media plays in promoting disability rights.
“The role of the media cannot be overemphasized” he said.“
As you pay attention and participate in this training program, you will be well enlightened on reporting deaf issues.
“I am happy with the large turnout by press men and women, “your presence shows your determination to improve reportage on disability matters”.
“We need to do things in new ways. Reporting issues affecting PWDs have always been relegated to the background and even when its reported the focus is on the disability and not on the issues. The narrative needs to change.
“I believe this DWAI training programme for reporters will improve your skill in reporting on PWDs in general. Our issues are of rights and not charity, we are human and should enjoy life and wellbeing same as every person.
The Executive Director, Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI), Mrs. Hellen Anurika Beyioku-Alase, in her speech praised the media for honouring their invitation for the launch of a book on Disability reporting as well as training for media practitioners on Disability issues and how to report Disability issues.
Mrs. Beyioku-Alase stated that “this book (Disability-Related Guide For Media Reporting on Deaf Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is aimed at providing insightful information, particularly to professionals in the media who, in the course of discharging their media duties, might come across incidents of Gender Based Violence and SGBV in Nigeria among PWDs.
“Today is remarkable because with the support from Urgent Action Fund, we are able to produce a handbook on reporting on issues of persons with disabilities. In many instances when you are reporting issues of Gender-Based Violence, the media house focusses more on our disabilities than on the issues.
“Deaf women are at high risk of Gender-Based Violence, but the media hardly report our stories, and when they do report them, the report is disability based than the issues.
“This book is produced to assist media in reporting issues of women and girls with disabilities without stereotyping”.
“We want media to stop the use of wrong terminologies, derogatory words influence the public perception about PWDs”.
“Also, we want to build awareness on disability issues and encourage media houses to pay more attention to covering issues and programs on PWDs”.
This book will help media houses and reporters in the use of right terminologies in writing and reporting PWDs.
“We need media to amplify our voices in the society. Without media we cannot be heard.
After the launching, we will be engaging media houses and reporters for two days starting today.
“The training programme is aimed at helping media houses and reporters to be well informed on disability issues, disability acceptable terminologies and reporting.
