Mass media pays less attention to PWDs in disaster (21 March)

(21 March 2011)

   Mass media in Japan do not pay enough attention to persons with disabilities in emergency.  According to Noriko Seyama who tried to search articles mentioing disabilities on line, she could find only 34 articles using "disability" in relation with this Great Earthquake among tons of news everyday since 11 March.  Among 34 articles,  28 are from nationwide newspapers, 4 from an internet media on medical care, 1 from a local newspaper and 1 from a magazine. 

   Of course, not all the articles are uploaded on the websites.  However, in fact, most of the information on persons with disabilities are available on the personal blogs and twitters.  Persons with disabilities should rely on their own network to gain appropriate information.  In addition, the entire society misses the opportunity to take consideration of marginalized groups in natural disasters including persons with disabilities.