Background and general project information

The societal structure in Indonesia is still lacking the correct perception in seeing, interacting, and communicating with people with disabilities. This condition makes things more challenging in expecting an awareness of and empowerment for people with disabilities on an equal basis with non-disabled people in the country.

On the other hand, media plays a major role in shaping public perceptions and attitudes about disability. How persons with disabilities are portrayed and the frequency with which they appear in the media has an enormous impact on how they are regarded. Yet most news content depicts people with disabilities as objects of charity and often focus on incapacity due to their impairments.

Unfortunately, the media in Indonesia often depict people with disabilities according to common negative stereotypes, often due to the deep-rooted stigma and inaccurate perceptions about the abilities of disabled persons. The media can play an important role in removing some barriers in daily lives of persons with disabilities – physical, attitudinal, legal, regulatory, communication – to encourage full participation of persons with disabilities in society and to develop their potential in achieving equal rights and opportunities.

Among the aims of the PROPEL-Indonesia project is to support advocacy and awareness raising activities on the rights and capabilities of persons with disabilities through targeted interventions (workshops, events, and others) aimed at representatives of the media.

To facilitate for this aim, under PROPEL Indonesia Phase II, ILO Jakarta has developed a Pocket Media Guidelines which is aimed to provide a practical resource to media professionals interested in reporting on the issues faced by people with disabilities in Indonesia. The Pocket Media Guidelines was previously introduced to media during media trainings. In conjunction with the International Day of Person with disabilities on 3rd December 2014 and in collaboration with Press Council, the Pocket Media Guidelines will be officially launched to media.

Objective of the event

The main objective of the event is to launch the Pocket Media Guidelines to media in Jakarta in a way to enhance understanding and awareness on disability issues among media professionals, as part of the activity to celebrate the International Day of Person with Disabilities of 2014.

Expected Output of the event

It is expected that:

• Representatives of media will have enhanced understanding and awareness on disability issues.
• Representatives of media will show commitment to use the Pocket Media Guidelines as a one-stop source of information for source of information on disabilities issues.
• Media Guidelines will be distributed to all participants of the event.