The media industry has been challenged to advocate more on socio economic issues confronting communities of physically challenged persons in Fiji.
Ministry of Information, National Archives and Library Services acting permanent secretary Setaita Natai made the comment while addressing a media workshop organised by the Fiji Association of the Deaf today.
She urged the media to stop taking a token stand on issues facing those with physical challenges and to start using all forms of communication tools to accelerate a change in attitudes towards the plight of the deaf.
Ms Natai noted that the duty of creating an enabling environment that would aid the social, economic and political development of those facing some form of physical challenge or the other for instance deafness, doesn’t rest solely on the Fijian Government.
“I believe - from the grassroots person – to leaders of Fiji, we all have a duty to raise each other up, and that duty is inclusive of our treatment of those of us who have physical challenges,” Ms Natai said.
“It’s not a duty that rests entirely on Government.
“And as members of the media, we are answerable to a higher call just as much as the Government, in the way we mould society’s treatment of the physically challenged.
“Let’s ask ourselves:
· Do we give issues of the deaf as much prominence as our extensive coverage for hard core news?
“The power of the pen is mightier than the sword! We are all familiar with that but:
· Are we utilising it enough to create circumstances, to afford those with hearing challenges, the same opportunities we so thoroughly enjoy as “normal” hearing citizens?”
Ms Natai highlighted that in 2010 Government signed the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons.
In attempting to lead change, government television news program Fiji Today News aired daily at 7pm on Mai TV is also telecast in sign language to allow members of the deaf community to exercise their right to information.
“Government is setting the legal and political climate for change,” she said.
“Now media colleagues, we have to play our part in shaping societal values about the deaf.”
Ms Natai challenged members of the media to revamp bad attitudes whereby deaf communities were subjected to oppressive points of view.
“Historically, deaf communities have lived under the oppressive environment, sadly perpetrated by the majority of us the hearing population,” she said.
“It’s an ignorance that permeates all levels of society – in the community, growing up, a deaf child is often ridiculed – “daliga vara” or labeled an idiot!
“In extreme cases, when a baby is born deaf, instead of being considered a beautiful gift from God, the child is treated as a manifestation of the sins of the forefathers who allegedly dabbled in devil worship.
“A curse the family must bear; he/she is brushed aside as useless with no potential for higher education and a productive life.
“Often in villages and rural communities the deaf person is relegated to performing menial labor – collecting firewood, coconuts, feeding the pigs and the tyrannical list goes on.
“With the power of the pen, we can dismantle those barriers of ignorance, influence parents and communities to think and act differently about affording their deaf children the same rights as their normally hearing child.”
Around 6 per cent of the Fijian population are deaf or have some form of hearing impairment.
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