COVID-19: Journalists should practice what they are reporting

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Executive Director of Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), Olaide Akanni, in this interview speaks on media coverage of COVID-19 in Nigeria and other issues on the pandemic.

The Coronavirus seems to have caught everyone unawareness including the media. What are the main issues you think the media should be looking out for to report?

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The media should be focusing on the following things:

Facts about COVID- 19 – signs, symptoms, modes of transmission, preventive measures and how individuals can take responsibility for their health, information about testing centres and contacts and how people can access testing services if they feel they are at risk or have some of the identified symptoms; current situation (Global and country/context-specific information about what is driving the epidemic, progress reports ( what is working well / success stories ); gaps.

Figures- Up to date data/ trends of the epidemic

Human interest stories – highlighting experiences of survivors and lessons learnt.

The Media also needs help to counter the myths, misconceptions and negative information, and unfounded cure claims. The stigma associated with COVID -19 that survivors who have to be isolated may encounter and the fact that it’s not a death sentence also has to be well covered.

Is the Nigerian media getting the necessary information on the infection, treatment and impact of the virus in the country?

It depends on individual journalists and where they are at in terms of leveraging technology given that there are now constraints that the epidemic is imposing on the traditional ways through which journalists have been gathering information ( in cities where the Government has imposed restrictions on movement and public gatherings; holding a press briefing where experts are brought to the field may not be doable; but a journalist who follows the health minister, NCDC, or a health commissioner on Twitter may readily access information than others who don’t.

There are also infrastructural challenges that could limit journalists per time. Last week, I attended a Virtual Media interaction with the Lagos State Commissioner for Health in which he responded to questions from journalists, CSOs and stakeholders on providing an overview of the response in the State; several journalists couldn’t join because of poor internet connectivity; given the Commissioner’s schedule, he couldn’t respond to all questions and other issues.

But again, access to that information happened because a group identified the need, convened that platform for interaction and reached out to a Commissioner who was willing and tech-savvy. What happens in states where officials in charge of the COVID -19 response don’t even have the skills and are not leveraging technology to respond to the public? This pandemic is teaching us to think on our feet and think differently.

Are you satisfied with terms like scourge, plague and others used in reporting about the situation in the country?

Sadly there is already enough fear about COVID -19 in the minds of the average individual out there and these terms help ton amplify that. I recall a conversation with a friend some days ago, she complained that the regular news and updates on COVID -19 on a WhatsApp group we belong too was scary and a bit too much, but it’s equally important to put the information out there as there are still many naysayers out there who think COVID -19 doesn’t even exist.

Maintaining the delicate balance between providing factual information that demystifies COVID- 19 in a non-stigmatising manner that helps the public understand the magnitude of the problem so that they take personal responsibility for protecting themselves is critical.

Is there hope that our confirmed cases will not spike like some countries considering our large population?

As an Optimist, I really and truly hope so. The reality, however, is that we are seeing rising cases because more people are able to access tests in the major cities. Yet, many more people who may have been exposed are not even aware they have been exposed and do not even have access to the tests. So we really can’t quantify the magnitude of the problem.

Another key issue is that as a people we have not fully come to understand the import of social distancing which countries who have succeeded in achieving a flat lining of the epidemic have adopted

Apart from the lockdown happening in a few proactive states, many people across the country are still moving around, large gatherings still occur like its business as usual. Enforcement of these principles of social distancing is key if we want to see a radical change and downward trend in the epidemic.

The media needs to help educate the public on why social distancing is critical now. We really can’t afford to have an increasing number of cases as the system and our healthcare workers are already bearing a huge burden. On the flip side, many are asking, so if we sit at home, what do we eat? These are valid questions within our country context and governments at all levels. Well-meaning individuals, religious institutions and private sector corporate bodies need to rise up to this occasion to provide support and basic items, food supplies to individuals and families and the most vulnerable in our communities at this critical time.

What is your advice for journalists covering the pandemic to stay safe?

My advice to journalists covering at this time – practice what you preach. If you’re educating and encouraging the public to adhere strictly to preventive measures, please do the same to protect you and your loved ones. Don’t try to be Superman or Voltron (the defender of the Universe)

Leverage technology and follow important sources of information – World Health Organisation as well as relevant sources at National Level sources, Ministry of Health, NCDC, and Health Commissioners to get timely updated information. There are many new things to learn about COVID 19 every day

Realise you are not immune – (a few international journalists in major international media have also tested positive in the course of their work) if you need to self-isolate do so and get tested if you suspect that you may be at risk or have symptoms

Stay safe, Stay safe: Stay safe, it’s not a cliché and cannot be overemphasized.
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