Africa Foundation for Young Media  Professionals trains journalists on disability inclusion in reportage

Africa Foundation for Young Media  Professionals (AFYMP) has trained no fewer than 25 young media practitioners across Africa on disability inclusion of reporting and increasing the voice of marginalized in the media.

Speaking at the two days fellowship training in Abuja, Yinka Olaito, Executive Director of the foundation said, the aimed of the training is to equip the participants on proper  guidelines on reporting disability inclusion.

He enlightened journalist on the importance for their inclusion in the society.

Olaito said  that disability is not a tabour in society as no one is completely abled.

He lamented  that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) had been living a segregated live style in the society as he  unveiled to the Journalists etiquette on disability reporting.

Mrs Moji Makanjuola a Veteran Journalist talked on the poor reportage of journalists on PWDs and also inclusion in the news room.
In her words, she charged journalists to practice inclusion by speaking out for the PWDs.

Susan Kelechi one of the resource person who is physically challenged on the wheel noted that over 31 million PWDs are in Nigeria.
According to her, they shouldn’t be pitied but should be shown empathy.

She called on  journalists to see the need to be properly acquainted with the proper word to be used in reporting PWDs.

In his presentation, Adedeji Ademidgbuji also educated the Journalist to understand that disability is a physical  challenge not mentally challenge.
He charged the media to partner with PWDs organizations to properly get information and inclusion.

Mr Seyi Olufemi, elaborated the importance of accurate data while reporting PWDs stories, adding that use of data on the PWDs reporting is also key as he also noted that everyone is temporarily or permanently disabled at some point of time.