In the conclusion we can say, the vast and varied potentialities of media in Odisha is still untapped, which can play a very pivotal role in marching towards a path of an inclusive society.
Dr Biraja Routray
Writer & Social worker
PUNARBASA, Kendrapara
Cell – 9658810244
As we know, the media, whether print or electronics plays a significant role in shaping public perception of disability. Usually, Perceptions portrayed in the media directly influence the way people with disabilities are viewed or treated in our current society. It also deeply influences societal attitudes and can play as a powerful tool for creating awareness and countering social stigma.
Moreover, can contribute immensely to building a more inclusive society by promoting more accurate understanding and diverse portrayals of people with disabilities.
In the Perspective of Odisha-
• Though Little but a flashing trend:
Though not significant, the depiction of traditional perpetuated negative stereotypes of disability are slightly improving along with the so-called trend on focusing on pity, tragedy, or exceptional achievement stories.
# Recent examples like the cover story published in one of the highest circulated Odia daily ‘The Sambad’ on the 2nd of July 2024, ” Unwanted due to Disable- Abandoned in Forest “
Similarly, a recently happened sensitive story found a cover stage on 14 April 2025 in almost all print, electronics, and social media. That was “A child of a visually challenged beggar woman stolen in Bhubaneswar near Ram Mandir”.
In both the cases, due to the changing alertness and sensitized approach of media, a positive impact had resulted within a few days.
Most recently the much-hyped Odia film “Pade Akash”, a first ever biopic of Dr Sruti Mohapatra, a renowned differently abled social worker also signifies positive representation of inspirational differently abled personalities in media.
• Lack of Diversity, inaccurate and unrealistic depictions:
In the last decade, the types of disabilities have been increased from 7 to 21, thereby including a much wider numbers of population with disabilities in this zone. But their representation in media is often limited, that to with a focus on specific types of disabilities and there by ignoring the vast diversity of experiences. The rising production cost combined with the post covid consequences resulting in reduction of readership and advertising patronages has also literally forced the print media to downsize their page volumes, thereby squeezing the scope of representation of persons with disabilities in print media. Further, there is a lack of in- depth and nuanced coverage of disability -related issues, often relegating/ downgrading them to a small percentage of news articles. And also fail to reflect the accurate complexities of disability, leading to a distorted understanding of individuals and their lives.
Reasons attributed:
Due to lack of awareness and information on the ongoing developments on policies and programmes, particularly, about the latest enacted disability law, persons with disabilities are most often misrepresented and portrayed unbalanced. Further, they are also disproportionately underrepresented than their counterparts without disabilities.
• Need for a guideline for descent and respectful portrayals:
Currently, there are approximately 0.5 million or above persons with disabilities in Odisha, though the accurate census after 2011 is yet to come out. Persons with disabilities are seldom covered in the media and when they are featured, very rarely dismantle the stereotype narratives and myths. Newspapers and other media outlets often fall into the trap of using negative stereotypes or portraying individuals with disabilities as pitiable or super achievers or super-crip models, rather than as individuals with diverse experiences.
Derogatory words like “PANGU”/ “CHOTTA”/ “ANDHA”/”KANNA”/”KUJJA”/”MUKA”/ “BADHIRA”/”KALA” are still used in few Newspapers / Periodicals and Literary Magazines, though these words are declared unlawful by the highest court of this country. Due to lack of awareness and sensitization, these practices are persisting.
A guideline to this effect be formed by the Social Security Department in conjunction with the information and public relation department for both print and electronic media of our state with strict instructions of Do’s and Don’ts. Also to take appropriate measures to ensure implementation of provisions under Section 42 of the RPwDs Act, 2016.
• Positive Impact of Media:
That the writer of this article is also a regular contributor in different leading Odia and National Newspaper on various Disability related issues, can share here, the tremendous impact instance of an article published in a leading Odia Newspaper “THE SAMAJ” editorial page on 22nd May, 2024 about the added and wider facilities like ECI APP and 12D Form for casting of votes by differently abled during the simultaneous General Election 2024. In response to this , the writer received an unexpected number of phones calls from various parts of the states, those who were unaware of such facilities strangely including highly educated of these sections.
Thus, in the conclusion we can say, the vast and varied potentialities of media in Odisha is still untapped, which can play a very pivotal role in marching towards a path of an inclusive society.
