Disability is not Inability

:: Media focus for Africa responds to PWD participants queries on electoral process and media in a seminar:

The Media and electoral process has its challenges and limitations to people with disabilities. given the identified challenges creating barriers to participation what can Media focus for africa contribute.

To explain the role of Media Focus for Africa and in response to questions from participants, the panelists, Frank and Mburugu stated that;

• It is difficult to control what the media shows as they are commercial enterprises and may refuse to air programmes on special needs interests as long as no one is seen to foot the bill, thus there is need for PWDs to assertively demand for their rights.

• Media Focus on Africa is a not for profit organisation promoting media for development and education, so PWDs need not pay them to bring their issues to the fore.

• Media Focus on Africa’s mission is to bring change and point out to the media houses that they are potential agents of change with a public duty to inform in an objective and balanced manner. It is the responsibility of DPOs to provide the right information to media houses and ensure members are provided with media skills.

• Media Focus on Africa is facilitating programmes adhering to journalistic ethics and code of conduct.

• They have developed a training programme for journalists on providing depth and linkages to issues in society that will be implemented extensively this election year.

• The Media Bill largely ignores matters related to PWDs and the clause dealing with the issue is extremely superficial. There is need for better representation by legislators and media houses on reporting on issues to do with PWDs.

• On semantics/language used by the media, Frank urged PWDs and their DPOs to come forward and sensitise Media Focus on Africa on terms used.

• DPOs should mobilise people to get together and raise the issues and also to mobilise resources.

• Media Focus on Africa would provide equal access to all candidates, without bias.

• Media Focus on Africa will do its utmost to provide sign language for all programmes they had sponsored. There will be radio programmes in all the major languages spoken in the country.

• Disability should be mainstreamed. As part of this process, PWDs will be involved in panel discussions not just due to the fact that they are PWDs or to articulate disability issues but to also bring forward their opinions on other issues.

• Media Focus on Africa programmes will be featured on talk shows and discussions programmes on TV and radio and on analysis and commentary pages in the newspapers.

:: Media in Kenya and disability in electoral process

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