Journalists and media outlets have been urged to avoid using derogatory language when reporting on issues affecting Persons With Disabilities (PWDs),leadership reports.
Mrs. Riskat Mohammed, Executive Director of the Women With Disability Self Reliance Foundation, made this appeal during a meeting with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kaduna.
Mohammed emphasized the importance of media professionals, who are at the forefront of information gathering, processing, and dissemination, to align with globally accepted terms when discussing or reporting on Persons With Disabilities.
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“The media needs to acknowledge and adopt the appropriate language when referring to PWDs to prevent the use of terms that promote stigma and discrimination,” Mohammed stated.
Participants at the meeting agreed on the need for adequate training of journalists covering PWD issues to enhance their knowledge and ensure professional reporting.
The attendees also advocated for establishing a robust partnership between the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) and the media for collaborative engagement. They noted that the low coverage and improper handling of PWD issues in the media have contributed to stigma and discrimination, rather than providing protection.
However, the participants highlighted that the lack of adequate training for journalists on PWD issues and the failure to use appropriate language have created a significant gap, underscoring the necessity for training media practitioners.
