The Qualitative Magazine (TQM), a disability advocacy magazine on Monday in Jos, Plateau State Capital urged NTA Jos to take the lead in mainstreaming the issues of disability in their reportage.
The Executive Director, TQM, Agbo Chris Obiora while addressing the management of NTA Jos during an advocacy visit, acknowledged the important role the media plays in influencing public opinion and attitudes and how persons with disabilities are portrayed and the frequency with which they appear in the media has an enormous impact on how they are regarded in society.
He stated that Persons with disabilities are often stigmatized or stereotyped, and may appear as either objects of pity or super heroic accomplishment. Showcasing their issues, challenges, talents, achievements etc. in programmes on television, radio, magazine and online platforms in addition to other types of media can help provide fair and balanced representation and helps to counter commonplace stereotypes that perpetuate negative perceptions of persons with disabilities.
“Persons with disabilities are often subjected to discrimination or exclusion from basic services such as health, education, training and work opportunities. This leaves many persons with disabilities and their families among the world’s poorest and most marginalized populations. Portraying persons with disabilities with dignity and respect in the media can help promote more inclusive and tolerant societies”he added.
He reminded that the media being the fourth estate of the realm, it is very important in our advocacy for a better society for persons with disabilities in Plateau State and Nigeria at large but it is unfortunate that the media have not provided enough opportunity for over 30 million Nigerians with disabilities to air the views to the understanding the public.
He thereby called on NTA Jos to take the lead so that others will follow because NTA is a critical stakeholder and it is the largest TV network in Nigeria.
He pointed out the concerns of persons with disabilities in accessing media services based on the survey TQM conducted in Plateau State under their “Connecting our Voices To The World” project supported by Voice Nigeria to ascertain the level at which persons with disabilities have access to media services.
Some of the concerns going by their findings were:
1, The media don’t give their issue enough time because they do not have enough money to pay for airtime
2, Inaccessibility of the physical structure of most media houses which has affected their access to media houses to air their views.
3, The media look at their issues as if it is all about charity when there is Plateau State Disability Law and the media have done little or nothing towards promoting the law which guarantee their rights.
4, The use of unacceptable terms in referring to different types of disability by the media, they said that it encourages discrimination.
He presented some prayers to the management of NTA:
1, For NTA Jos to work with us to develop a disability rights program to educate the public about disability rights in Plateau State and hold government accountable for the implementation of disability laws and policies.
2, Promote disability inclusion in all the programs by ensuring that they bring disability perspectives in all discuss, economic, entertainment, Climate, Education, Health, all their programs that geared towards educating the public.
2, NTA should as a matter of importance in accordance to Article Part 3 k(Access to Physical Structure) of Plateau State Disability Law to modify their building by providing ramps where necessary, accessible toilets, create disability parking lots.
3, NTA should also provide their information at disability accessible format, TQM requested for the introduction of sign language interpretation in NTA Jos major news to enhance access to news and information to the deaf community.
4, The use of right terminologies in referring to different types of disability should be encouraged and a training of newscasters should be required, my organization would be willing to offer such if it is approved by you.
5, Finally, TQM advocated for them to develop a policy on disability to enhance a more healthy relationship in providing services to persons with disabilities.
The Executive Director thereafter presented the survey findings and some TQM publications to Zonal Director of NTA Jos to guide him in his effort to mainstream disability issues.
The Zonal Director, NTA Jos in his response applauded the work that TQM is doing Plateau State. She said that NTA Jos has been doing so well for persons with disabilities, they have sign language interpreting on their major news and they have a sign language tutorial program on NTA Jos every week.
He assured TQM team that he will look into other issues that they raised and also study the survey findings and the publications presented to further understand what is expected from them. He reminded TQM team that some of the prayers is beyond him, it should be directed to the headquarter especially the issue of the policy.
He promised to continue to support the leaders of persons with disabilities in Plateau State.
