The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has called on all radio and television stations in the country to uphold high levels of professionalism by exhibiting sympathy in their coverage on Cholera.
IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma said the tendency by some Disc Jockeys (DJs) on radio and TV Announcers of making inappropriate and teasing comments regarding the cholera outbreak is disheartening.
Ms. Mapoma is disturbed that radio and television personalities choose to trivialize and make fun of the water borne disease instead of giving it the attention or seriousness it deserves.
She said the disease has negatively impacted the country’s social-economic activities and regretted the comments that are largely sourced from social media.
Ms. Mapoma has further reminded the media of the critical role they play in information dissemination to enable the public make bold decisions.
“The Authority wishes to advice all media houses to help promote positive health behavioral practices in individuals, in order to help reduce the probability of contracting or spreading the disease,” she said.
Meanwhile, the IBA Director has called on media houses to be supportive of the efforts currently being made by the National Task Force on Cholera in combating the disease.
Over 60 people have so far died from Cholera since the disease broke-out in October last year.
WHY NO UPDATES FOR CHOLERA is it OVER OR NOT?
GRZ’s cholera failures and misdirected responses deserve ridicule ,vilification and scathing censure NOT positive coverage.
Bakateka busy appointing ministers and MPs instead of taking care of an emergency epidemic!