The Yobe State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has organised a one-day media orientation to journalists with focus on disease outbreak and impact on immunization among others.
Declaring the session open, the Director of Information and Chairman State Social Mobilization and Community Engagement Working Group (SM&CEWG) in Yobe State, Alhaji Ali Musa Yawale charged journalists to always approach reporting healthcare and disease outbreaks with utmost professionalism and integrity as their reports can influence public behavior, government policies, and even global responses to health crises.
Yawale said due to change in weather, it is obvious that places like Yobe state may experience some disease outbreak that require all hands on deck approach to either contain or control its spread.
He said, “In an age where information spreads rapidly and misinformation can have serious consequences, the role of journalists in disseminating accurate and reliable information is more crucial than ever.
“Journalists as stakeholders, you have the power to shape public perception and understanding of healthcare issues and disease outbreaks.
“When reporting on healthcare and disease outbreaks, it is essential to verify information from multiple credible sources before disseminating it to the public and avoid sensationalism, speculation and stick to the facts. Misinformation and rumors can cause panic and confusion, and they have no place in responsible journalism,” the DIS stated.
He stressed the need for journalists to emphasize regular immunization and hygiene among people in their reportage for a healthy society.
Also, the communication specialist with UNICEF Maiduguri office, Hajiya Zainab Hassan said the organisation considers journalists as key in informing the public on the signs and symptoms of any outbreak emphasizing on the need for adherence to ethics governing the practice of journalism as a profession.
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