NPHA, UNICEF Partner with Local Media to Boost Ebola Readiness
Sia Lucy Kannah The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), with support from UNICEF and in collaboration with the Independent Media Commission (IMC), conducted district-level media dialogues in Bo, Port Loko, Kenema, and Bombali districts, respectively, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s preparedness for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and promote responsible public health reporting.
The engagements brought together media owners, editors, reporters, presenters, program producers, and public health stakeholders to strengthen collaboration between the media and health authorities in communicating accurate, timely, and trusted information to communities.
A key focus of the dialogues was popularising the Public Health Reporting Guidelines, highlighting journalists’ critical role in reporting on public health emergencies responsibly, verifying information before publication, protecting affected individuals from stigma and discrimination, and preventing the spread of rumours and misinformation.
The sessions also provided an opportunity to update media practitioners on Sierra Leone’s EVD preparedness efforts, including surveillance, early detection, community engagement, risk communication, and the importance of maintaining public vigilance without creating unnecessary fear or panic.
The discussions emphasised four key priorities: Strengthening EVD preparedness: Enhancing media understanding of Ebola risks, prevention measures, early reporting of suspected cases, and the importance of community participation.
Promoting responsible public health journalism: Encouraging media practitioners to apply the Public Health Reporting Guidelines and ensure accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting during health emergencies.
Addressing rumours, misinformation and community concerns: Strengthening collaboration between journalists, health authorities and communities to identify, verify and respond to misinformation while promoting public trust.
The dialogues further recognised that the media are not only channels for disseminating health information but also important partners in listening to communities, identifying emerging concerns and communicating feedback to public health authorities.
Through this initiative, NPHA and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), promoting public confidence and ensuring communities receive the information they need to make informed decisions before and during public health emergencies.
Sierra Leone remains free of Ebola, but preparedness remains everyone’s responsibility. Journalists, community leaders, health workers and citizens all have an important role to play in protecting communities and strengthening national health security.