Journalists in Rivers State have been charged to display high degree of professionalism in handling of sensitive information on the Ebola Virus Disease.
This was the focus of a one-day orientation programme in Port Harcourt for news editors and managers on reporting about Ebola virus disease.
A representative of the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, Charles Nzuki said the media formed an integral part of efforts to stamp out the deadly virus.
Nzuki said the programme was organised to equip journalists with the appropriate knowledge and language in reporting about the Ebola virus.
“You have seen the partnership we have had with the media, alongside the UN, UNICEF, WHO and we are looking at combating Ebola in Nigeria.
“The media plays an important role in terms of information management and other partnerships that we have with the community, because over 80% of our people listen to the radio and there are a lot of correct information we will like to put forward”, Nzuki said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Sampson Parker said training of journalists was one of many ways the government was working to control the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has restated its commitment to contain the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in the state.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi gave the assurance during an interactive session with religious leaders and traditional rulers at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The Governor urged religious leaders to send any of their members with symptoms of Ebola Virus to government-designated centres for immediate medical care.
The governor, however, explained that some section of the 1999 Constitution empowered him to discipline any act of negligence regarding efforts to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Rivers State.
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