By George Mponda, MANA
Dedza District Council over the week-end drilled journalists based in the district on Covid-19 to enable them report factually about the pandemic which has so far infected 13 people and led to two deaths in the country.
Speaking during the training on Saturday, Dedza District Commissioner, Emmanuel Bulukutu said although the district had not recorded any case related to the Coronavirus, it was essential for people to be well informed on how to prevent the virus.
The district commissioner noted that journalists have an important role to play in the fight against COVID-19.
“In order to prevent people from contracting this virus, there is need for mass sensitization which can be achieved with the help of different partners, including journalists,” Bulukutu said.
He disclosed government and other organisations such as GIZ, Action Aid, World Vision and United Purpose had supported the council with funds and various supplies for Covid-19 response.
In his remarks, spokesperson for Dedza District Hospital, Mwai Liabunya bemoaned the spread of fake news on social media, saying it is posing a challenge in the fight against the virus.
“We are not only fighting against this virus, but there is also a lot of fake information being passed around.
“So, we depend on you journalists to help pass accurate information to the masses in the district so that the virus should not spread here,” he said.
