Journalists asked to give accurate information on Ebola Virus
The ministry of health has commended the role played by the media in educating the public on prevention and management of Ebola virus diseases (EVD) outbreak in Kasanda and Mubende districts.
Addressing the journalists from Ankole region during a one-day media training on effective coverage of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Uganda held at Lake View Resort Hotel Mbarara, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the ministry of health senior public relations officer noted that the community has been sensitized and mobilized.
However, Ainebyoona asked journalists to always validate and critically verify information before sharing and reporting the stories to avoid mistrust and misinformation.
Ainebyoona also noted that there is a need to intensify community engagement and sensitization stressing that there are myths and low EVD risk perceptions existing within some of the affected districts.
The coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the South Western region Dr Mukiibi Micheal revealed that early identification of cases and treatment of symptoms greatly increases the chances of survival since Ebola has not yet got therapeutics.
Clare Muhindo, the representative from African Centre for Media Excellence (A.C.M.E) called upon media players to always spread accurate and effective reporting on Ebola outbreaks saying that inaccurate reports can create crisis and anxiety in the community.
The training which attracted over 30 journalists was aimed at equipping journalists with basic information on EVD to enable accurate, responsible and ethical reporting on the outbreaks to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation.
It is organized by the African Centre for Media Excellence (A.C.M.E) with support from UNICEF, WHO and the ministry of health.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) – Sudan strain outbreak on 20 September 2022 following a positive test result for one adult male in Mubende District on 19 September 2022.
