Journalists, broadcasters are the eyes through which society sees. When the eyes are partially blurred, the whole body will suffer untold calamity. Inclusive society requires carrying everyone along. Media must continuously raise the voice of the marginalized (persons with disabilities) if injustice should not prevail.
Journalists must understand their silence in certain issues affecting Persons with disabilities will greatly affect such class and race. Unfortunately, when it comes to the issue of disability and inclusion reporting, a major discovery is that the media is not fully aware or lack basic data with which they can project issues of inclusion in this area.
There is no inclusive society if a significant percentage of people is left out whether intentionally or deliberately. This and many more discussions dominated a 2-day workshop theme: “Disability and Inclusion reporting, raising the voice of the marginalized joint put together by Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals and Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa.
Welcome over 30 Journalists, broadcasters from different media houses across Africa to a hybrid session, Yinka Olaito, Executive Director of Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals encouraged participants not to forget the duty they owe the society: raising conversation around injustice and holding actors accountable in their oversight functions.
According to Yinka Olaito, “Journalism and public interest functions must not be relegated because of the industry’s drive for sustainability. Journalism must create the balance so many voices are not silenced because no one is speaking up on their behalf”. Persons with disabilities are also humans, over a billion persons in this world have a form of disability or the other. But unfortunately media silence is compounding their woes especially here in Africa as well as Nigeria” Yinka Olaito concluded.
In her own session, Dr. Sharon Omotosho, speaking on “Language use in disability and inclusion coverage” charged the media to understand that language matters. “Language can be used to demean, marginalize and motivate, hence the choice of the word used in media reportage are very significant to the wellbeing of Persons with disabilities”. Said Dr Sharon Omotoso.
“More than ever before, the media must break the stereotypes of alluding to some traditional societies’ use of stigmatized words in describing people with disabilities. Media must champion the use of decent and appropriate language within the context it is operating”. Dr, Sharon Omotoso charged the participants.
Speaking on “Inclusive Newsroom, where are we and what does the future hold?”, Yemi Michael, a reporter with TheCableNg who happens to have slow mobility did say “If media must ask the society to be inclusive, it should lead by showing example through its hiring process. I am glad I am working with an organization which prioritizes inclusiveness. Not many PWDs who are journalists are as fortunate to get employment despite the fact that they are most qualified but are discriminated against just because of their disabilities”.
With regards to moving from creating awareness to action and getting data as a foundation for excellent reporting, Dr Toyin Aderemi, senior Disability and Inclusion Advisor, Save the Children Nigeria Office challenged the journalists to “First know the details, challenges, get the data which can allow them push for inclusiveness and project the conversation in a positive way. Without data, whatever you do as journalists becomes a joke”
Journalist/Participants at the workshop
To move faster, Journalists may not be able to run this alone without strategic collaborations with others. Treasure Uchegbu, while speaking on “Essential of Collaboration in Achieving success” said “Journalists must know who to approach, what to bring to the table and be respectful to other actors so as to provide value and balance they are seeking”.
The two-days’ workshop, which serves as orientation for selected journalists who are members of 2023 Disability and inclusion fellow saw many of the participants happy to be members of this 2023 fellows. Dare Akogun, a participating Nigerian Journalist could not hide his feeling when he noted “This two-day session had opened my eyes to many things I was not aware of till now. I appreciate the organizer for counting me worthy to attend this”.
