Two months ago the reform of article 49 of the Constitution that eliminated the term ‘disabled’ of the Magna Carta, a reform that had been demanded for 20 years from the associative world of the disability.
To debate the impact that this reform has had on the media and society in general, the John XXIII Foundation yesterday organized the round table in which representatives of various media related to disability participated, Mayte AntonaChief Society Editor of Servimedia; Pedro Fernandez, Editor-in-Chief of Soziable; Marcos González, Founder and President Editor of Corresponsables, and Melisa TuyaEditor-in-Chief of 20 minutes and coordinator of ‘Able‘. Nuria Prietohead of Communication at the Juan XXIII Foundation, was in charge of its moderation.
During the table various topics emerged, such as the role of the media in real inclusion of people with disabilitiesthe role of the third sector or the place they occupy within the general media information on social issues. Young journalism students also attended the event, who had the opportunity to ask various questions to the participants.
A historic reform
The first topic of discussion that was posed to the participants was the importance of reform of the constitutiona reform that goes beyond a linguistic modification, as it represents a change in mentality and an opportunity to promote a more inclusive narrative“as a society, we all have to feel proud of the reform of the Constitution,” said Nuria Prieto at the beginning of the round table, “it represents a milestone, because it is the third reform of the Constitution and the first with social impact. It gives us the opportunity to create a much more inclusive narrative, and in that the media plays a fundamental role.
Regarding whether this change is already being noticed in the media, everyone agreed that, in already aware media like theirs, The change had been occurring for some time.“in 20 minutes we were already very careful in how we expressed ourselves and what terms we used when we referred to disability. It has been a long-standing race, although there is still work to be done,” said Melisa Tuya in her first intervention. .
Mayte Antona also explained that, at Servimedia, where a large part of the staff has disabilities, they were already talking about ‘Person with Disability’ more than 20 years ago, “this reform has not impacted us, but we are all on the ‘good side’,” he joked, “but this reform is a milestone that dignifies people with disabilities“.
He inclusive language It is also something that has been in DNA since the beginning from Corresponsables and Soziable, although it was not because of them that they recognized that, outside of the social media, there is much left to do,”we are a rare example“said Marcos González, “because in general or not so aware media, it is surely different and, on the other hand, although it is gaining ground, there is still a long way to go before this is internalized in society.”
A message that ‘is getting through’
All social changes require time, and the change in society’s view of disability is no exception, which is why the message, with reforms like this and with the help of the media, the language is getting through as ” a fine rain”, as Mayte Antona described it, “but until this arrives and spreads in the general media It will take time for society in general, but it is still a historic moment.”
Melisa Tuya, although she recognized that it is difficult for disability to find a continued space in the general media, as has happened with ‘Capaces’ in 20 minutes, assured that reporting on disability makes sense and has impact because the message, although it may not seem like it, is getting through, “general media, like 20minutos, have a tremendous audience, and it would be absurd to think that it won’t get through. The numbers, in fact, tell us that yes, they are content that is of interest “. They are of interest and, as he stressed, they should have a transversal presence in all sections of the newspaper, as it would be the best way to ‘normalize disability’.
And to normalize, we must flee from the approaches often given in the media, “generally reflects either the super story of overcoming and the unfortunate, and there are countless paths to explore. The treatment of disability in the media has to be transversal, and it is a somewhat complicated battle,” Mayta Antona complained.
Pedro Fernández and Marcos González, who have also worked in general media, recognize how difficult it is often for disability issues to be taken into account, and They are considered ‘off issues’ outside the political agenda and the media, since it is usually included in the ‘catch-all’ of society.
The role of the third sector and the media to change reality
So that the message spreads more and more and that disability not only has a presence in the media, but also has the adequate presencethe collaboration between the media and the third sector It is essential. Starting by taking care of the language is a good starting point, because, as Pedro Fernández highlighted, “changing ‘disabled’ for a person with a disability is not simply words, it represents the way we see the world, of relating, it is seeing the world with different eyes”.
The key, furthermore, is in the term ‘person’, a word that, for Melisa Tuya, we should never lose sight of, “it is what would stand out most about the reform, because disability is about realities, about people, not just about types.” of disability. Disability is very complex and it has numerous aspects and we have to transfer that to the media management. In the end it depends on people having that sensitivity.”
In the faculties they do not talk about social issues, they do not talk about disability
Sensitivity is, according to all participants, more present, The only thing missing is for those responsible for the media to bet on it, and to achieve this, the people who are on the other side have an essential role. What can we do from the third sector to help you?’ asked Nuria Prieto.
Marcos González was clear: “real and close storiesbecause that is what sensitivity generates, because if you don’t have someone close, in the end, most people are not sensitized.”
Pedro Fernández, for his part, asked for more training from universities, “In the faculties they do not talk about social issues, they do not talk about disabilityand taking into account the large number that is closely affected, it is largely forgotten, not as a subject, but in a transversal way.
The great pending subject is easy reading content for people with intellectual disabilities, which continues to be the poor sister of disability.
Melisa Tuya wanted to highlight the role that third sector organizations already play, which are already a constant and daily interlocutor in Capaces, “they teach us every day the normality of disability, the demands… When we need the third sector, they are always there and their work is essential for disability is something permanent, constant and solid in the mediathat shows the reality of disability”.
The third sector, its struggle for decades and the professionalization that, in terms of communication, the sector has experienced in recent years, are behind, according to the editor of Soziable, why its stories now reach more to the media and to society. , “they are in charge of teaching the reality of disability and they are the ones who guide us, and tell us why “They don’t want to be diminished, disabled, or handicapped.”
Much to do in terms of accessibility
Finally, when asked about accessibility Of the mediathe participants recognized that, although an issue in which although much progress has been made thanks to technology, there is still much to do, especially in terms of cognitive accessibility“the great pending subject is the contents in easy reading for people with intellectual disability, which remains the poor sister of disability. There’s a lot people who need media written in easy reading, and here I have to sing the ‘mea culpa’ and recognize that this is not yet the case. I wish the contents of 20 minutes were in easy reading so that everyone could read them. “You have to get your act together, but it’s not easy,” he acknowledged.
Further accessibility regulation It would serve, as Pedro Fernández proposed, to somehow ‘oblige’ the media to make all their content accessible, “a law that regulates easy reading in the media would help, although that also requires a lot of training.” he assured.
The participants wanted to end the round table with a optimistic message and to encourage future students to opt for social journalisma journalism that, although with risks and with great responsibility, “is a cause worth fighting for”, and is so very rewarding on a personal level that at the end of the day ‘it makes you feel like a better person’.
