Emphasis on the role of media in curbing disinformation during health crises
Media should gatekeep mis/disinformation that usually goes rampant at times of health crises such as COVID-19 and dengue, said public health experts during a journalist orientation program, in Kathmandu.
The event titled ‘Strategic Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Training’ by Save the Children in partnership with National Health Education, Information and Communication Centre (NHEICC) and Triple Media, on August 26-27, 2023.
“The media content has its impact on the public – both positive and negative. The risk of fake news is high during pandemics. Therefore, before disseminating any news content, media should consider its potential repercussions,” said Dr. Roshan Pokharel, the Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).
Stressing the importance of risk communication at times of crisis, Senior Health Education Administrator at NHEICC Sheela Shrestha said, “There is a greater need of the public’s access to right information during natural calamities and public health crises. This calls for more coordinated efforts from local levels, media persons and the public.”
Senior Health Administrator at MoHP Dr. Samir Kumar Adhikari said unverified news contents can have damaging effects and urged journalists for fact-checking before publishing news and photos.
Dr Rudra Prasad Marasini, the Director at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division said, “Health is a public concern. We work with communities side by side against fighting diseases. It’s important that we engage communities in our efforts with positive messaging.”
During the event, Dr. Anup Bastola, Chief Consultant for Tropical Medicine at MoHP stated that, during health emergency situations, it is the most marginalized community and key populations, such as people with HIV, TB, and malaria, that are most impacted, as disruption of health services further hinders health seeking behaviors and response.
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