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Disability
is not Inability |
:: Disability Media regulation.
Has the media in any of the developing countries
operating under self or statutory regulation treated persons with
disabilities with equity and positiveness? This debate has not
run its course but there seems to be no let up on either side.
One side says self regulation has served us all well and only
needs to expand its horizons to engage the disability community.
The other side argues that profit motivated media can only look
at the community with equality if they have purchasing power for
media products. They argue that to achieve these needs either
But an analysis at the historical relationship between either
modes of regulation and disability does not provide a ready solution
for the community to decide which way to support.
Therefore, which ever the form of media regulation adopted what
is the place of the disability community and the media in the
democratization process going on in developing countries?
The wave of democratization changes taking place
in the world has not to identified and includes the rights of
persons with disabilities as equal stakeholders. This is mainly
because society has grown to believe that people with disabilities
are not complete.
Right from the family level, community to institutional or national
level, people with disabilities have been judged by their physical
appearance or expression of bodily impairment to determine if
they have or do not have rights. Denial of love in the household
has lead to opportunity to an education, which has resulted in
denial of employment or business opportunities, coupled with denial
to marry and be married and finally denial of rights to vote or
be voted for,
While we respect the context of the media’s historical role
in expanding democracy as the best option, in Africa and the world
over, the role of the media in perpetuating social discrimination
against persons with disabilities even in countries with high
standards of freedom of expression has been to say the least overwhelming.
Media and advertising are one of the most powerful
tools to change attitudes and mentalities in society, to overcome
stereotypes, fear and prejudice. Therefore, by increasing and
improving the image of disability in advertising, press, screen
and news, media will actively contribute to an effective integration
of people with disabilities in all fields of life.
Historically, self-regulation of the media has
been found to be the best option especially in countries where
democracy has not found pillars outside constitutional governments.
Where the respect for the rule of the law is weak, society has
found it prudent to keep the media (as the custodian of free information)
outside cobweb of statutory structures.
While this has served well the general good of
building forms of democratic environments, it has also had the
unfortunate result of always discriminating against those unable
to negotiate with the media. Throughout history various groups
have fought for their freedom within this construct. The latest
victim is the disability community worldwide. History is yet to
show that the media left to self regulate has served the disability
community effectively.
:: media
perpetuating discrimination.
:: access at
whatever cost.
:: disability
engaging the media
:: disability
and media regulation
disabilitykenya
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