HCD launches media award to raise awareness on rights of people with disabilities 

AMMAN — The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) on Saturday launched an award for media professionals who used media to spread awareness of causes related to persons with disabilities during 2021, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The award, whose launch ceremony was held under the patronage of HCD President HH Prince Mired, motivates media professionals to address challenges facing people with disabilities from a human rights perspective and encourages them to use creative media products to support the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. 

The council indicated that media should focus on human stories and reports related to health issues, justice, violence, inclusion of people with disabilities, the right to movement, culture, work, education, tourism and access to banking services, as well as the right to vote, run for office, marry and start a family. 

Prince Mired indicated that the award covers four fields of media work. A jury comprised of experts in the field of human rights and media will ensure the accuracy of information and the compatibility of the submitted media materials. 

The first winner in each competition field will receive a cash prize of JD1,000 and the second winner a cash prize of JD 500. 

According to the council, applicants must reside in the Kingdom regardless of their nationalities and ages.

Media products should involve human rights-related topics.

Participants should adhere to the “media guide in dealing with issues of persons with disabilities”, which can be used as a reference and downloaded through the link http://www.hcd.gov.jo/sites/default/files/Media%20Guide_0_0.pdf.

Participants must use the appropriate human rights terminology laid out in the guide and not address issues that may offend persons with disabilities.

If the story deals with a particular individual, the applicant must obtain the consent of the person. 

Applicants may also submit more than one product, provided it has been published through one of the visual, print or audio media institutions during the year 2021, or has been published on a social media platform. 

The award also allows joint products from a team of journalists. 

Sunday, October 3, is the deadline for submission of stories and should be sent by email to [email protected]. 

The judges will select eight final winners, which they will announce on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.