"Therefore, the media plays a strategic role in building narratives that empower people with disabilities and support their fundamental rights as human beings," Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Nezar Patria stated.
He made the statement at the "Dissemination and Publication of Research Results on Reporting Cases of Discrimination and Violence Against Women with Disabilities" seminar held by the National Commission on Disabilities (KND) in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He assessed that the complexity of the problems faced by disabled people, especially women with disabilities, cannot be separated from the stigma that is still attached to disability in society.
He explained that the lack of literacy in the form of publications and reporting about people with disabilities and their success in mainstream media is one of the reasons behind the stigma attached to disabilities that is still prevalent in society.
Patria pointed out that more often than not, word choices failing to promote an empowered image of people with disabilities were used in news articles and publications regarding disabled individuals.
"It is not uncommon for us to encounter content that actually builds their image as unlucky people," he stated. "This is compounded by the lack of public education and literacy regarding people with disabilities. This perception is undeniably detrimental to them."
Patria encouraged the media to actively advocate for the rights of people with disabilities through their news reports, as mandated by Law Number 8 of 2016 concerning people with disabilities.
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Translator: Hana Dewi Kinarina Kaban, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
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