The Korean Broadcasting System has decided to hire a newscaster with a disability, setting a milestone in promoting the welfare for those with special needs. To mark the occasion, KBS will put its slogan, “Going Together with the Disabled,” into practice and fulfill its duty as a public broadcaster. April 20 marks the national day for people with disabilities. Earlier, President Lee Myung-bak stressed the need for expanding employment for the disabled in his regular radio and Internet speech. This year, a series of positive developments make the day dedicated to people with disabilities all the more meaningful. Following this encouraging development, many more citizens will hopefully move forward with those who are mentally and physically challenged in every corner of society.
On April 19, one day before the national day for people with disabilities, KBS held a ceremony in which it vowed to partner with those with special needs and announced a plan to hire a news anchor with a disability. A person with a disability will be in charge of a particular section of a news program and deliver it as a regular presenter. The decision is similar to the case of the British public broadcaster BBC, which hired a man with a facial disfigurement as a news anchor for one week in 2009. But the Korean example will take the cause one step further, as the disabled newscaster will be a regular presenter, not a temporary one.
The difficulties faced by the disabled are not only found in mental or physical disorders themselves, but in deep-rooted social prejudices. Today, the number of individuals who acquire a physical challenge due to traffic accidents or other causes is increasing. Therefore, anyone can suddenly find themselves with a disability. It would be a grave mistake to underestimate anyone with a disability, and people should cast aside outdated biases.
KBS’s plan will set an important precedent in the effort to cast away public prejudices against people with disabilities and correct erroneous impressions. The broadcaster will enjoy public confidence and deliver news stories with greater credibility. Just one post has been added to the job list for people with disabilities, but the general public must realize how competent people with physical challenges are and accept them on equal footing. The ripple effects this news program delivered by a person with a disability will have will be enormous. Previously, President Lee stressed the importance of creating more jobs for the disabled, saying that expanding employment would be the best welfare policy for those individuals. Through employment, people with disabilities can support themselves and be accepted as responsible members of society with the same rights and duties that other citizens exercise. We hope KBS’s brave decision will make a greater contribution toward promoting the welfare of people with disabilities.
On April 19, one day before the national day for people with disabilities, KBS held a ceremony in which it vowed to partner with those with special needs and announced a plan to hire a news anchor with a disability. A person with a disability will be in charge of a particular section of a news program and deliver it as a regular presenter. The decision is similar to the case of the British public broadcaster BBC, which hired a man with a facial disfigurement as a news anchor for one week in 2009. But the Korean example will take the cause one step further, as the disabled newscaster will be a regular presenter, not a temporary one.
The difficulties faced by the disabled are not only found in mental or physical disorders themselves, but in deep-rooted social prejudices. Today, the number of individuals who acquire a physical challenge due to traffic accidents or other causes is increasing. Therefore, anyone can suddenly find themselves with a disability. It would be a grave mistake to underestimate anyone with a disability, and people should cast aside outdated biases.
KBS’s plan will set an important precedent in the effort to cast away public prejudices against people with disabilities and correct erroneous impressions. The broadcaster will enjoy public confidence and deliver news stories with greater credibility. Just one post has been added to the job list for people with disabilities, but the general public must realize how competent people with physical challenges are and accept them on equal footing. The ripple effects this news program delivered by a person with a disability will have will be enormous. Previously, President Lee stressed the importance of creating more jobs for the disabled, saying that expanding employment would be the best welfare policy for those individuals. Through employment, people with disabilities can support themselves and be accepted as responsible members of society with the same rights and duties that other citizens exercise. We hope KBS’s brave decision will make a greater contribution toward promoting the welfare of people with disabilities.
(Source : KBS World)
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