Government has challenged community broadcasters to play a vital role in dispelling fake news regarding Covid-19 vaccine.
Speaking during a Covid-19 workshop in Lilongwe, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) board member Father Henry Saindi said fake news about Covid-19 is creating fear and panic among Malawians.
Acknowledging the vital role journalists play in disseminating Covid-19 information to the public, Saindi dared the journalists to practice solution journalism by engaging public responses on the pandemic.
“Government needs journalists to disseminate information on the pandemic at grassroot level. Community broadcasters develop personal relationship with the communities they serve which enhances behavioral change among listeners which is an important aspect in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic,” said Saindi.
Saindi further appealed with the journalists to use their close relationships with their audiences to dispel fake information about Covid-19.
“As trained journalists, they should be incumbent upon themselves to communicate only that which is true at all times and this will bring hope among so many Malawians,” he pleaded.
In his words, Minister of Information Gospel Kazako who was guest of honor said Covid-19 is not a death sentence, hence the need for community broadcasters to send information which gives hope to the public.
According to Kazako, government is working on empowering community broadcasters to counter spread of fake news about Covid-19.
“There are so many people out there with depraved motives distributing fake news. What we would to do is to empower our broadcasters to counter that. Community broadcasters are surely source of trusted information,” he explained.
Kazako clarified that Covid-19 fight needs a unified effort. He challenged community broadcasters to package information which will revive hopes in community members.
“Community broadcasters have a very crucial role of giving home to our communities that Covid-19 is not a death sentence. There are more and more people that are getting healed everyday,” said Kazako.
During the workshop, the community broadcasters were also asked to enlighten community members truth about Covid-19 vaccine which government intends to rollout early March.
Macra organized the workshop to equip community broadcasters from Central, Eastern, and Southern regions with skills, knowledge, and expertise on how they can disseminate true knowledge about Covid-19.
Social media has been awash with conspiracy theories on Covid-19 vaccine, a situation which has created fear and panic to the public.
