COVID: Govt, media persons mull ways to boost awareness

SHILLONG, July 15: Government officials and media persons from across the state met at a sensitisation programme organised by Directorate of Information and Public Relations in association with the Health department here on Thursday and discussed at length measures to ensure that effective and accurate information related to COVID is disseminated to the public and combat the circulation of fake news and misinformation, particularly with regard to the vaccination campaign.
The meeting was attended by editors, producers, journalists, correspondents etc., from various media houses in state, who were accompanied by officers from the Health department and the DIPR.
In her address, M War Nongbri, Secretary of Information and Public Relations department, highlighted various awareness initiatives undertaken by the government through the State COVID-19 Communication Coordination Unit in informing and educating the public on different aspects related to the pandemic.
Nongbri, who is the former deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills, lauded the press fraternity for their efforts during the pandemic and requested for their continued support.
During the interactive session, pressmen highlighted various pertinent issues involving the media in relation to the pandemic.
On combatting the spread of fake news, Nongbri stressed on the roles and responsibilities of media in publishing correct and accurate information while reporting or covering news/events related to COVID.
She implored upon the gathering to actively coordinate with the government in promoting the vaccination campaign so that the state can achieve its vaccination target. “Only by achieving this target, we as a state and its citizens can return back to normalcy,” she stated.
Media persons also raised several issues with regard to health infrastructure, awareness level among the public, data and statistics on COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy etc, which were clarified by doctors from the Health department.
Earlier in the course of the programme, a presentation on the current COVID-19 situation of Meghalaya was presented by the Health department.