CAMP Advocates Better Communication on Covid-19
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe
Members of CAMP with Limbe Journalists |
In a bid to curb the spread of corona virus and influence
the behavior of the population concerning the existence, prevention and
treatment of the disease, the Cameroon Association of Media Professionals, CAMP,
is carrying out an advocacy campaign for effective communication by
journalists. The slogan of campaign is: “Kill Coro with Better Tori through
Changing the Narratives.”
CAMP
believes that the outbreak of covid-19 has become the biggest story in the
world, and it is still difficult to determine with exactitude the future and
consequences of the infection. It is for this reason that the association
organized a press conference on Friday 12 June 2020 to brainstorm and
strategize with media professionals on how they can better inform the public
especially giving the many myths that surround the pandemic.
The aim
is to change the narrative about coronavirus, moving away from a narrative
which puts fear and panic in the minds of people, to that which encourages the
population to get tested for the virus so as to know their status. CAMP also
condemns stigmatization of patients and their relatives.
The
president of CAMP, Taryang Ebika Tabe, disclosed that the project, which will
last for one month, will have four main activities going on simultaneously with
different targets and audiences. He said they will set up a website and
Facebook Page ‘to counter fake corona-related news, disinformation and
misinformation.’ The page would be managed by certified fact checkers and
journalists.
“The
idea is to provide the right information to the public, especially online,
since urban and rural populations, as well as displaced persons, now have
access to online materials,” Taryang said.
There
will also be the production of Posters, Radio, Video Spots which will be
sensitization materials to be used by community media broadcasters in local
languages and more of demonstrations and less writings. He added that the
Posters demonstrating how to prevent the Virus will be produced and distributed
in local communities, churches, village meetings and market squares and Radio
spots shall also be produced in local languages and Pidgin to be shared with
community radios and networks of CSOs in local areas as well as internally displaced
camps.
The
president of CAMASEJ Limbe chapter, Ebong Pende, appreciated the initiative of
CAMP to change the narrative concerning the covid-19 pandemic. He implored
journalist to do proper intelligence gathering and to strategize on how to make
the project successful.
The
Fako divisional delegate of communication, Olive Ejang, urged journalists to
take the campaign serious and to always think out of the box when they are
faced with such situations.
It
should be noted that in the process of reporting on the covid-19 pandemic,
journalists face serious challenges including lack of protective kits,
inappropriate means of transportation, misinformation, exposure to the virus
and the risk of fueling panic in communities.
Reason
why CAMP launched an earlier project to ensure that Media Practitioners are
safe and protected when they go out to report on the COVID-19.The campaign is
tagged ‘COVID-19 Free Media Project #COVID19FreeMedia237 and embarked on
partnering with local civil society organizations to provide Hand Washing
points in Community Media Houses and donate hand sanitizers, Equipment Covers
and Face Masks to journalists.
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