Blessing Oladunjoye, the publisher of BONews Service, facilitated a one-day seminar for Master’s students of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.
The training, which was supported by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism under its Report Women! News and Newsroom Engagement, was themed ‘Disability Reporting’ and took place at the Department of Mass Communication’s Centre for Excellence Hall, attracting about 100 students.
The session was delivered under MAS 803- Topical Seminar in Mass Communication course.
During the seminar, Oladunjoye emphasized the importance of disability reporting, noting that not all disabilities are visible. Using pictures and various illustrations, she highlighted mechanisms that should be implemented to ensure the equal participation of persons with disabilities.
Oladunjoye also discussed different models of disability, including charity, medical, social, and rights-based models. She covered essential terminology and principles related to disability, offering practical tips for reporting on disability, interviewing persons with disabilities, and avoiding common pitfalls in disability reporting.
Additionally, she cited the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stressing the need for proper and adequate reportage.
The BONews Publisher recommended that disability being a cross-cutting issue can be mainstreamed into diverse topics, adding that, “as journalists, you should know that you can incorporate disability into different subjects but you must use inclusive and non-discriminatory language.”
Students actively participated in the seminar, exhibiting commitments to pursue disability-focused stories and shared story ideas.
Oge Ugwu Nkirikuka, one of the students, shared a personal experience, noting that disability reporting would provide her with opportunities for advocacy, enable her to seek justice for persons with disabilities and enhance her efforts in gender advocacy.
Another student, Ijeoma Thomas Odia, expressed her intent to focus on how persons with disabilities can access infrastructure and public facilities without facing discrimination or segregation.
Similarly, Temiloluwa Tijani shared her plans to focus on raising awareness about disclaimers during public events and occasions, emphasizing the need for caution.
Speaking after the program, Professor Abigail Ogwezzy, the course lecturer, expressed her appreciation for Oladunjoye’s facilitation.
She encouraged students to engage with people with disabilities and to do impactful stories about PWDs, as the media professionals are meant to give back to society.
Dr Suraj Olorunfesi, the co-lecturer, also spoke at the event, affirming that there is “ability in disability.” He highlighted how technology can empower persons with disabilities to achieve their best in society.
The seminar set the stage for students, journalists, and communication professionals to report on disability more accurately and sensitively. It served as a call to action, emphasizing the shared responsibility to ensure that persons living with disabilities can live well and participate fully in the society.
