Media have power to change social misconceptions: Nakhro

September 14, 2023 18 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | September 14

State Commissioner for Persons With Disabilities (PwDs), Diethono Nakhro today asserted that the media have the power to change social misconceptions and present people with disabilities as individuals who are part of human diversity as they play a vital tool for raising awareness, countering stigma and misinformation.

The commissioner was addressing a section of media persons during a workshop on Media and Disability organised by the Office of the State Commissioner for PwDs in Kohima today.

While according to WHO, an estimated 1.3 billion people globally experience significant disability and this represents 16% of the world’s population or 1 in 6 of the world’s population, statistics in the country or state only shows only small percent of the population as PwDs.
For instance, only about 2.6 million of the total population in India are in the category and in Nagaland, as per existing census, there are only about 30,000 or 1% are PwDs.

On the other hand, Nakhro asserted that PwDs are part of every section of our community which include men, women and children, employers and employees, students and teachers; customers, and so on.

Combating stereotyping
The section, however remains, marginalised due to misrepresentation, treatment and perception of people, she said.

PwDs are often, “negatively stereotyped, not appropriately represented, treated as objects of pity, charity or medical treatment that have to overcome a tragic and disabling condition or presented as superheroes who have accomplished great feats so as to inspire the non-disabled,” she added.

In this connection, the Commissioner asserted that by increasing awareness and understanding of disability issues and the diversity of persons with disabilities and their situations, the media can actively contribute to an effective and successful integration of persons with disabilities in all aspects of societal life.

While disability issues have a long way to go, Nakhro said understanding of disability was paramount and dwelled on subjects including disability reporting and positive portrayal of people with disabilities.

She said that during such occasions of reporting on disability, it was important to include the voice of a relevant PwDs or also look at their inclusivity by including them in everyday content.

“Persons with disabilities seen as active members of society, and not as passive and dependent citizens, helps to break down barriers and opens up opportunities,” she added.

She also highlighted a term called ‘inspiration porn’ where disabled people are often portrayed as objects of inspiration mainly to make nondisabled people feel good which she said can be generally avoided.

Nakro later dwelled on how to address PwDs with terms that are not disempowering, discriminatory, degrading and offensive.

Kohima Press Club, General Secretary Rita Krocha said media plays a crucial role in influencing public discourse and societal conscience.
However many times, terms and usages are used wrongly specifically with regard to rights of persons with disability.

She said it is therefore, the duties and responsibilities in portraying it in a right manner. Krocha added that it was our responsibility to dispel negativities and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in access to different areas of development.

Earlier the programme was chaired by Viketukho.