At the forefront of advocating for marginalized groups, Yinka Olaito, the Executive Director of the Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) and the Managing Editor of Nigeria Grassroot News, has emphasized the urgent need for inclusive investigative journalism.
Speaking on the subject of including marginalized voices in investigative reporting, Mr Olaito addressed investigative journalists at the 20th African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
During the session which was moderated by Uyanda Siyotula, National Coordinator of SOS Coalition in South Africa, Olaito shared that journalists must incorporate marginalized groups into their investigations because they often face significant abuse and injustice and the injustices often go unreported due to a lack of media attention.
He outlined the barriers that prevent effective storytelling about vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, noting that “journalists often underestimate the population and potential of marginalized communities.”
Olaito calls on journalists to “drive positive societal change” by challenging misconceptions, combating stigma, and promoting inclusivity. He believes investigative journalism can play a transformative role in addressing exclusion and injustice, urging journalists to use their platform to leave no one behind.
Also to enhance the inclusion of marginalized voices in investigative journalism, Olaito charged the journalists to embrace “collaborative partnerships with disability organizations, healthcare providers, and educational institutions to support impactful reporting.
In her contribution, Blessing Oladunjoye, the Publisher of BONews Service charged the journalists to mainstream disability into diverse subjects and beats that they cover and not to see disability stories as a stand-alone topic.
“Disability is not a stand-alone issue, and journalists often struggle with where to begin reporting on it. By recognizing that disability intersects with health, education, migration, climate change, and other sectors, we see that it permeates all aspects of society,” Oladunjoye added.
Participants shared insights and sought advise on how to get started with disability inclusion in their reporting.