OPD Partners Media On Effective PWD Reportage

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Organization of Persons with disability, ( OPD) Kaduna is partnering with journalists and media organizations to enhance proper reportage of issues concerning people with disabilities ( PWDs).

The forum called for a change in the narrative in the use of language when it comes to addressing people living with disability in news’ reports.

The meeting observed the need for training and retraining for journalists and media organizations to equip them effectively on reporting disability matters without discrimination among other things

In a communiqué at the end of the meeting, on Friday, signed by Mrs Risikat Toyin Mohammed and Comrade Shindong Bala, the forum further urged government institutions, spirited individuals and organizations to always do the needful in the promotion of inclusion.

” On 31st May, 2024, Some Concerned Media Organizations Held a Meeting at the NUJ Secretariat in Kaduna to discuss issues affecting Persons With Disability for adequate and professional reportage by the media Outfits.

” Present at the meeting was the Executive Director, Women With Disability Self Reliance Foundation and the Representatives of Various Media Organizations which are: Procyo Radio/Television, Truth Nigeria, Kabido, Africa Independent Television, The Explainer online, Radio Nigeria, News reservoir, Newsdaily Nigeria, Leadership Newspaper, The Point News, Al-Amanah, and Muryar Yanci.

” The discussions centered around low coverage of activities and issues of Persons With Disabilities,

” The improper and or inadequate capacity to report PWDs issues. It was observed that these reasons have resulted to promoting stigma and Discrimination against PWDs instead of protecting them.

” The meeting also discovered that some projects and PWD organizations could not succeed because the right information is not put across as expected which also made them to stop engaging media in their activities.

” That the meeting was not to criticize or find faults but identify the existing gaps the issues, and how can we work together to make life better for persons with disabilities to increase government recognition and planning for persons with disability and also change the perception of the general public around the generality of persons with disability issues.

The forum resolved that “There is the need for adequate training of media personnel on PWD issues to enable them have more knowledge and report professionally.

“:The media needs to acknowledge and adopt the dynamics of PWD language to avoid using the terms that promote stigma and discrimination.

” The meeting agreed for the establishment of a robust partnership between OPD and Media as a collaborative means of engagement

” The meeting agreed for regular sharing of information between the Media Personnel and PWDs

” The meeting also called for regular reports of PWDs issues.” the communiqué added.