Role of media in ensuring disability equality stressed

A recently held national seminar on the role of media in promoting disability equality called upon proactive steps from media activists to ensure unbiased mindsets to people with disability.

The event was held under the initiative "Disability Equality in the Media". 

Dr. Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, chaired the seminar. Renowned cultural personality Dilara Zaman attended as the Chief Guest, says a press release on Thursday. Special guests included Muhammad Hiruzzaman ndc, Additional Secretary and Director General of the National Institute of Mass Communication and Hasan Hafiz, Editor of Kaler Kantho and President of the National Press Club.

The event, organised by the media and communication-focused development organisation Somosti, with support from UNESCO, brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, journalists, disability rights activists, academics, students, representatives from civil society, and cultural personalities.

A panel discussion titled "Disability Inclusion in the Media: Practices, Challenges, and the Way Forward" was moderated by Reaz Ahmad, Editor of Dhaka Tribune. 

The panel featured the expert speakers including Md. Abdul Kadir, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Director of the ICBC Project; Professor Imran Hossain, Chair of the Department of Television, Film and Photography, University of Dhaka; S. M. Manzur Rashid, Senior Advisor, Communications at UNDP-SPSS; and Vaskar Bhattacharjee, National Consultant at the a2i Project.

Noore Jannat Proma, Head of Media Development and Access to Information at UNESCO Dhaka, delivered the welcome speech. The event was moderated by Mir Masruruzzaman, Executive Director of Somosti.

In her speech, Ms. Dilara Zaman praised the inspiring event and said, “The event and discussions opened my eyes. I want to extend my hand to the persons with disabilities around me with love. From now on, I will encourage people around me, fellow actors, mothers I meet, to offer even a small gesture of support to those living with disabilities.”