Report Only Verified News About Covid-19, Journalists Tasked

As the resurgence of Covid-19 is being experienced globally, journalists have been called upon to strictly report verified news concerning the pandemic to avoid misinforming the public.

This was stated by stakeholders during a workshop organised for the media in Enugu on Wednesday to sensitize them on the resurging virus, and the need to take the campaign to the grassroots through accurate reportage.

Dr Ikechukwu Chidolue, focal person, Enugu State Risk Communication and Community Engagement, said accurate information about the pandemic was the best tool in tackling it. He said, “There is need to increase the sensitivity levels of the media concerning Covid-19. Journalists are critical players in communicating with the public and sharing accurate information. The World Health Organisation is supporting the provision of information to enable the facilitation of stories for the public. The adverse effects of misrepresentation of facts from some quarters mislead the general public about the pandemic. The only way to ascertain who has the virus is through laboratory test. The public should not speculate, but get tested. There are authorities and websites where up-to-date information about the pandemic could be easily accessed.”

Pharmacist Maxwell Obeka, acting coordinator, World Health Organisation, Enugu State, urged the media to also educate the public about the development in vaccines against the pandemic, and the need for their acceptance whenever the vaccines were made available.

He said, “The impact of the social media can work against this move. There are already moves to get vaccines against Covid-19 in Nigeria. The initiative is for the betterment of all, and there should be no negative colouration about it. This is where the media need to play a key role.”

The public relations officer of Enugu State Ministry of Health said the ministry had been embarking on a pilot project to sensitise the people on the pandemic. According to her, the campaign had been carried out in Awgu and Nsukka LGAs where religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders were sensitized on health matters.

She regretted the nonchalant attitude of some people toward the realities of the pandemic, and begged the media to get clarifications about the virus from her office before going public.