14 September 2022, Monrovia: The surge of pandemics equivalent to COVID-19 has underscored the significance of making certain evidence-based reporting by the media. All through the pandemic, the media fraternity has and continues to play an integral position in making certain the general public will get right data that helps inform selections in any respect ranges. The Press Union in Liberia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Well being and WHO, has instituted a Well being Reporters Community.
The daylong session introduced collectively over 30 journalists from varied media retailers, with an intention of enhancing collaboration and deliberations on the very best methods to advertise belief among the many basic public by making certain that the content material shared is predicated on information. The visitor of honor on the occasion, Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Nation Consultant in Liberia, emphasised that the media have the ability to form the worldwide agenda.
“Once I got here into this nation on the 16th of March, 2020, that was the time Liberia recorded its first COVID-19 case. I recall that with the Press Union of Liberia we did talk about methods of enhancing well being reporting, however the dialogue was short-lived due to the pandemic—issues grew to become robust. We now have progressed collectively as a neighborhood and discovered the ability of the media in shaping international agendas and selling service supply”, stated Dr Clement.
He additional added that, studying from his expertise throughout Ebola, false and destructive information spreads quicker than factual information, therefore the necessity to guarantee information is shared in a well timed method and primarily based on information in order to curb misinformation and false impression.
“If individuals don’t get the right data on time, we create a vacuum that shall be crammed with false data. So you’re a nice asset to any work on this nation, not solely in well being but in addition on points of ladies, youth, agriculture and so forth. If COVID-19 has taught us something, it’s that well being is the muse of all improvement and prosperity. Well being in Liberia is a treasured factor that all of us must champion,” narrated Dr. Clement.
In concluding his assertion, Dr. Clement pledged the group’s dedication to the reason for championing the well being agenda and making certain the proper data is shared via current alternatives in radio, on-line, and print media.
The Vice President of the Press Union of Liberia, Mr. Daniel Nyakonah, applauded WHO for supporting the Union to launch this vital discussion board and added that the community shall be key in making certain fact-based information on problems with well being in Liberia.
The members have been taken via varied subjects, together with an elaboration of their roles in well being reporting and an in depth understanding of key problems with concern on monkeypox and COVID-19 in Liberia.
WHO continues to help the Ministry of Well being as an advisor on well being in efforts to realize well being for all in Liberia.