Yemi Akinsuyi/
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Capital Territory Authority have struck a partnership with the media in the fight against COVID-19.
To this end, a one-day sensitisation program was organised for the media in FCT on Thursday.
Dr. Doris John, an epidemiologist with FCT, called for better reportage and sensitisation of members of the pubic, especially those in the rural areas on the need for prevention of COVID 19.
She regretted that despite the increasing numbers of victims of the pandemic, some Nigerians still show nonchalant attitude towards the deadly disease.
While tasking the media in the need to educate the masses on the prevention of the virus, Dr. John said more advocacy would help in fighting COVID-19.
“Throughout the world, there are still efforts by the media practitioners on the cure of COVID. The media must enlighten the pubic on the COVID-19 prevention. We are counting on you,” she said.
Representative of WHO, Dr. China Shamsu, who spoke on “Journalist as a Public Health Practitioner, Commonalities and Divergence” said the media and the medical are playing major and similar role in ensuring the prevention of Corona virus.
Dr. China tasked the media on the need for more education rather than information in the course of their reportage of the disease.
“The media needs to educate the public on the danger inherent in the contracting the virus. We should report less on the number of those died as a result of the virus, ” he said.
Speaking on Media as A Partner In COVID- 19 Response In Nigeria, a media practitioner and former staff of Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola, called on the media to be well informed in the knowledge of the virus, to be able to disseminate proper information and education on COVID 19.
She said: “Awareness must be disseminated to the public. That’s why it is expedient for Journalists to be well educated on the virus. A messenger must understand the message. Apart disseminating messages to the public, Journalists must be advocate of change.”
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