Takoradi, April 17, GNA – Mr Seth Adjei, Health Promotion Officer with the Ghana Health Service, has called on Journalists to report responsibly on the COVID-19 Pandemic to help spread calm and not fear and panic among the populace.
He said journalists instead of creating fear and panic with their reportage should rather intensify public education on the protocols and directives from the government and the Ghana Health Service so as to stem the spread of the disease.
Mr Adjei made the call during a risk communication workshop for selected journalists in the Western and Western North Regions, to help spread facts in the fight against COVID -19.
The Health Promotion Officer, sensitised the participants on the COVID -19 pandemic on some of the frequently asked questions, managing rumours, providing accurate, factual and up to date information to the public.
He stressed the need to use only developed and approved materials such as posters, leaflets, banners pull ups and billboards from the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service for public education in the fight against COVID-19.
He said effective communication using media tools would help create public awareness for behavioural change in the fight against COVID -19.
Mr Adjei cautioned media practitioners against sensationalism and publishing opinions, since such publications would undermine the national efforts at fighting the COVID- 19 pandemic.
He said journalists should eschew reports that would stigmatise patients and discourage those suspected to be exposed to the disease from stepping out for testing.
Mr Daniel Bomfeh, Western Regional Health Promotion officer said the region has so far recorded 45 suspected cases out of which 31 are negative with 16 awaiting test reports.
He warned that the disease was real and people should take the precautionary measures provided seriously.
Mr Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu Western Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) gave the assurance that journalists in the region would endeavour to follow all the ethical protocols in reporting on the COVID- 19 pandemic.
He suggested that funds should be made available to the various media houses to enable them to execute their mandate in the fight against the pandemic.
He asked members of GJA to uphold professionalism in these abnormal times and help in the fight against COVID- 19 pandemic.
GNA