A day-long training program on ‘Skill development training for journalists in publishing quality and informative news on disability’ was held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital on Saturday.

Access Bangladesh Foundation and Disabled Child Foundation (DCF) with the financial support of Disability Rights Fund (DRF) organised the day-long training programme.

Access Bangladesh Foundation Executive Director Albert Mollah and Disabled Child Foundation (DCF) President Md Hafizur Rahman were present as special guests. Access Bangladesh Foundation Chairman Mohua Paul presided over the event.

Khairuzzaman Kamal said “Earlier, there were very few people working on this disability issue. But now many are working. We should all work together for the advancement of disability rights.”

He called for work on the disabled from central to divisional level.

Md Hafizur Rahman said that journalists talk about people - they write about people’s rights. In this case, they have to work vigorously for the rights of disabled people.

Albert Mollah said that “Media is a very powerful medium. What we can’t do by holding rallies on the rights of disabled people, the media can do with effortless reporting.”

Mohua Paul said “It is seen that many journalists published very beautiful reports but there are some words in the report which spoil the beauty of the report. We have to be aware of this.”

“Moreover, we have to remember that a journalist’s information can change a person’s life. So, we have to work with this thinking” she added.

The training was co-hosted by National Council of Disabled Women (NCDW), Sitakunda Federation, Turning Point Foundation and Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF).