Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has requested media assistance in order to improve journalists’ ability to report on the plights of people with disabilities.
The organisation noted that various media houses in the country have made some significant improvements in reporting on issues of disability. According to Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, media silence in reporting matters or concerns of people with disabilities is clear discrimination.
He said issues relating to people with disabilities should be handled at the same level as others without discrimination. “Media role in amplifying the voices of people with disabilities is essential and plays a great informative role in raising public and decision makers’ knowledge, especially when it comes to the allocation of national funds for meeting the priorities of persons with disabilities,” said Yakani.
He applauded media houses for increased reporting on matters of the inclusion of people with disabilities and reiterated CEPO’s commitment to effectively advocate for the meaningful inclusion and mainstreaming of people with disabilities. Yakani said more practical actions for the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in government decisions and actions are highly required.
“Making any decision or action about the needs of persons with disabilities without their participation is an act against them. People with disabilities should be given the chance to speak for themselves, just like what the media has done for them, “he stressed.
CEPO urged media houses to continue amplifying the voices of people with disabilities regularly because it contributes to behaviour and attitude change.
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