In this information age where the world is interrelated increasingly, our day-to-day activity is highly influenced by the media. Mass media, being one of the most important means of communication, is helping people in their day to day activity through providing the necessary information, shaping many of the dimensions of their work, and lives. Without embellishing, in almost everything, there is no area in which media has not impacted people.
Especially, at times of crisis and national emergency, media plays critical role in disseminating comprehensive, credible and accurate information to the general public and creating awareness about the situations.
This is what we are witnessing from the media institutions of Ethiopia at this juncture.
Taking into account the severe consequences of the emerging threats of COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of educating and creating awareness among the public to curb the menace as well as decrease the possible loss that may happen in the future both public and private media have been discharging their responsibility
persistently by making the pandemic priority agenda of their program.
According to HaileGebriel Biniam, Senior News Editor at Sheger FM Radio Station, media institutions, be it private or government, are duty- bound to serve public interest through distributing relevant and up to date information for the general public professionally and ethically.
In view of this, Sheger Radio Station has always been discharging its social responsibility accordingly.
At this point in time, the Station has been broadcasting pieces about coronavirus in its regular news coverage and special programs to raise the awareness of the public towards the brutality of the virus, keep them informed and contain the spread of the pandemic.
Mentioning that his Station has been inviting senior government officials from Ministry of Health and Public Health Institute every morning, he said that by doing so, substantial works are done to deliver up-to-date information and keep the community informed.
As to him, following the outbreak of the pandemic in the capital, the Station has launched new additional airtime at different time intervals.
He noted that currently almost all the programs that have got priority and in-depth coverage by the media are issues related to COVID-19.
The other private media which has given wide coverage to aware the public about coronavirus is Oromia Media Network (OMN).
The Media Network (OMN) has been discharging its social responsibility to curb the transmission of the virus through producing in-depth news, developing stories, features and various programs on the severity of the epidemic and teaching the public.
According to the information obtained from the report of the media, since the time the epidemic outbreak in the capital, the media has been creating awareness towards the epidemic with the aim to curb the spread of the pandemic and protect people from contracting the virus.
As to the report, the media has been undertaking daily public awareness spots investing considerable amount of capital and using different languages to prevent the spread and mitigate its consequences.
The source indicated that in collaborate
with Oromia Physician Association and other stakes; it has conducted numerous daily briefings. Likewise, it has been undertaking live question and answer discussions with health professionals in which audiences can participate, raise their questions and concerns directly via direct lines.
Girma Mirgisa, Editor of the Ethiopian News Agency, Foreign Language Desk on his part said that in the time of crisis, media can put pressure or influence people either positively or negatively.
He underscored that his media has been producing and disseminating various information for peer media institutions that are worthy enough to aware the public about COVID-19.
As to him, the Agency, to enhance the awareness of the people, has been gathering information from national and international sources and disseminating through its page in addition to distributing to other media institutions.
As to him, the society needs to implement government directions, guidelines and the advices of health professions, distinguishing relevant information sources from the irrelevant one.
The Ethiopian Herald April 29/2020
BY TAMERU REGASA
