In its latest Twitter Chat series, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) hosted Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, the Associate Editor of Special Projects, Premium Times. The conversation focused on “Accessing the Performance of Media in Informing the Public about Covid19 Pandemic”.

The Programme officer of CITAD, Ali Sabo welcomed the discussant to the newest edition of the Twitter chat series adding initiated by CITAD in an attempt to provide the society with necessary information and create awareness. He expressed that it’s a privilege to host the Premium Times Associate Editor on this platform. The discussion started unfolding with the statement from the discussant that discussing the role of media in fighting against #COVID19 is a salient one, looking at the centrality of the information architecture in the success or otherwise of a fight like this adding that the media’s role as a purveyor of information and an education tool is pivotal to development of any society. Beyond the rather archaic role of “inform, educate & entertain” the media today is a special purpose vehicle essential for catalyzing development.

Abdulaziz continued explaining that in this modern role of journalism, the media is beyond just a megaphone. It is a mirror and a sieve—a mirror that mirrors happenings, with a glimpse into their implications, and a sieve that separate the chaffs from the grains. The global media has played a front row role in the fight against #COVID19. This is broadly around awareness through timely & factual info, calming nerves and, most importantly, bursting falsehood. Nigerian media isn’t far away in this regard.

Moreover, the #COVID19 pandemic presented the media with a unique challenge, both internally (operations, finances, etc) and externally (how to report and what to report). This has affected the business of news production and dissemination.

Furthermore, under the circumstances, the Nigerian media, like their counterparts elsewhere, played momentous role in contributing to the fight against #COVID19. The media walked side-by-side with @NCDCgov and the healthworkers in battling the pandemic.

Responding to the question about misinformation, stigma and fake news being a problem in the fight against covid19 and How has the media perform to address these issues, the discussant express his thoughts to be the greatest tribute to the media in the #COVID19 fight is in the area of #factchecking and the fight against #fakenews. The media was upbeat in pointing out misinformation.

When asked whether he thinks the effort of Nigerian media have changed anything especially the perception of the general public about Covid19, Abdulaziz responded that It is not easy to answer this in “yes” or “no” term. It is one thing to have the right and adequate information and it is another to trust and believe such information. The Nigerian media has done a lot in making the right information available, adding that almost all Nigerian media organisations have devoted considerable space and time reporting #COVID19. There has also been appreciable level of data journalism inform of #factchecking & verification.

The discussant was also asked about his feelings about whether the media has covered the COVID-19 outbreak as it supposed to or whether there’s something else journalists could be doing in covering this event. He responded that what needs greater emphasis in this #COVID19 coverage is accountability journalism, especially on public finance and that there is need to look deep into expenditures around the #COVID19 response and ask vital questions.

At the end, Abdulaziz expressed his appreciation towards the centre for their efforts in driving conversation around #COVID19 awareness, and how to be accountable while battling the pandemic.

 

 

 

Engagements:

 

@ a_sabo12 Good afternoon all, Please welcome @Abdulfagge, Associate Editor, Special Projects @PremiumTimesng who is going to be discussing on Assessing the Performance of Media in Informing the Public about Covid19 Pandemic

 

 

@Abdulfagge Thanks to #CITADAgainstCovid19 for the conversation you are driving around #COVID19 awareness, and how to be accountable while battling the pandemic.

 

 

@Abdulfagge, on a scale of hundred, where can you place the Nigerian media in terms of providing the needed information about #COVID19 to the Nigerian public?

 

@ Abdulfagge Discussing the role of media in fighting against #COVID19 is a salient one, looking at the centrality of the information architecture in the success or otherwise of a fight like this.

 

@Abdulfagge The medias role as a purveyor of information and an education tool is pivotal to development of any society. Beyond the rather archaic role of inform, educate & entertain the media today is a special purpose vehicle essential for catalyzing development.

 

@Abdulfagge In this modern role of journalism, the media is beyond just a megaphone. It is a mirror and a sieve-a mirror that mirrors happenings, with a glimpse into their implications, and a sieve that separate the chaffs from the grains.

 

@Abdulfagge The global media has played a front row role in the fight against #COVID19. This is broadly around awareness through timely & factual info, calming nerves and, most importantly, bursting falsehood. Nigerian media isnt far away in this regard.

 

@Abdulfagge The #COVID19 pandemic presented the media with a unique challenge, both internally (operations, finances, etc) and externally (how to report and what to report). This has affected the business of news production and dissemination.

 

 

@Abdulfagge , on a scale of hundred, where can you place the Nigerian media in terms of providing the needed information about #COVID19 to the Nigerian public?

 

@Abdulfagge Under the circumstances, the Nigerian media, like their counterparts elsewhere, played momentous role in contributing to the fight against #COVID19. The media walked side- by-side with @NCDCgov and the health workers in battling the pandemic.

 

@MubarakEkute @Abdulfagge Misinformation, stigma and fake news has been a problem in the fight against covid19. How has been the performance of media in addressing these issues

 

@Abdulfagge I think the greatest tribute to the media in the #COVID19 fight is in the area of #factchecking and the fight against #fakenews . The media was upbeat in pointing out misinformation.

 

a_sabo12 Mr @Abdulfagge do you think the effort of Nigerian media have changed anything especially the perception of the general public about Covid19?

 

@Abdulfagge It is not easy to answer this in yes or noterm. It is one thing to have the right and adequate information and it is another to trust and believe such information. The Nigerian media has done a lot in making the right information available.

 

 

@Abdulfagge Almost all Nigerian media organizations have devoted considerable space and time reporting #COVID19. There has also been appreciable level of data journalism inform of #factchecking & verification.

 

@MubarakEkute @Abdulfagge How do you feel the media has covered the COVID-19 outbreak? What else could journalists be doing in covering this event?

 

@Abdulfagge What needs greater emphasis in this #COVID19 coverage is accountability journalism, especially on public finance. There is need to look deep into expenditures around the #COVID19 response and ask vital

 

 

@a_sabo12 It’s been a wonderful 1 hour engagement with @Abdulfagge , Associate Editor, Special Project @PremiumTimesng who discussed on Assessing the Role of Media in the Fighting against Covid19. Thank you so much for this wonderful engagement, sir & have a wonderful evening

 

@Abdulfagge Thanks a lot!

 

Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held its 34th Twitter Chat on the 4th of August, 2020. The guest was Mal. Isyaku Garba, CITAD NBTE Coordinator and Community Mobilizer. He discussed on the topic  “The Role of Community Based Organizations in the Fight against Covid19 in Nigeria” He started by describing what Community Based Organizations are “These are community initiated non-political, non-biased and non-profit making organizations, committed solely for the total upliftment and all round development of their communities. In Nigeria CBOs are best positioned to effectively carry out activities and plans affecting the lives of the communities: socio-eco development, natural resources management, environmental conservation or disaster management like COVID-19. CBOs are made up of community representatives and one of their aims is to ensure that decision makers take notice of community concerns. CBO role on combatting covid-19 may include:

Raise community awareness and promote community action on coronavirus issues & livelihood options, CBOs Sensitize stakeholders on the importance of helping people (Palliatives) in the community in this period. Sensitized Business people on not to be discourage with their Businesses, guide them according to the WHO and NCDC guidelines, Provide a platform for the community to come together and discuss what is Coronavirus; Analyze the causes and solutions (Preventives Measures Communicate with decision makers to share planned action and obtain their endorsement; Daily build their capacity on what WHO/NCDC says on COVID19.

 

This is a period to further build the CBOs capacity on the requisites mechanisms and strategies needed for a strong viable Organization and for sustainable development in the Era of Covid 19 therefore. Galvanize community members to implement planned solutions; sensitizations on the WHO/NCDC recommendations, Mobilize locally available resources to implement identified solutions e.g. Public Address System, Build capacity of community members on how the virus is and preventive measures.

 

In Nigeria CBOs working in combatting pandemic face a lots of Challenges and the challenges can be viewed mainly from 3 angles;  From the CBOs themselves, eg. Weak Management Structure, from the Authorities (Governments and Traditional Heads) and the Politicians in combatting Covid 19 Collaboration is necessary important because it is a new disease in the world, there is need to work with NCDC, Stakeholders and other Stronger bodies and Voice e.g. media houses both conventional and digital, in order to share experiences As mentioned earlier there are challenges, and the challenges can be viewed from 3 angles; from the CBOs themselves from the Authorities (Government and Traditional rulers) and the Politicians. For the Traditional group, their support for CBOs is sometimes difficult because of fear of their offices. Other Challenges which CBOs face include lack of the preventive measures tools e.g. Masks, Sanitizers that will assist them to carry out their work. Also due to social distances measures as recommended the target groups have low digital experiences that will allow CBOs to meet them virtually.

 

His recommendations to the CBOs are: focused on committed Leadership, Stronger bodies and Voice, Improved Coordination Partnership/Contacts with Health Units services, Stakeholders, Proper and Updated documentation improve digitalization of their work. Observe in their work diplomacy, courage, Sacrifice and equally avoid being easily intimidated, unnecessary talks and overlapping of schedules.

 

 

 

1.@ali_sabo Good afternoon everyone, Please join me in welcoming our guest for today’s twitter chat,

 

@isyaku12 a Community Mobilizer who is going 2 discuss on the Role of Community Based Organizations in the Fight against Covid19 in Nigeria

 

@a_sabo12 Sir, can u start by explaining what Community Based Organizations do in supporting their communities free Covid19 so that we will understand what really their functions are @isyaku12 @YZYau @ChiromaHope

 

3. Answer Provide a platform 4 the community to come togethr and discuss what is Corona Virus; Analyse the causes and solutions (Preventives Measures Communicate wit decision makers to share plannd action n obtain their endorsemnt; dailyBuild their capacity on what WHO/NCDC says on COVID19

 

@mukhtars_s

 

Replying to @isyaku12 @a_sabo12 and 2 others

 

 

Sir as an expert, what do u think will help them to overcome such challenges u hv made mention

 

@MubarakEkute

 

#CITADagainstCovid19

 

@ChiromaHope

 

Replying to @a_sabo12 @ICTAdvocates and 9 others

 

Thank you Sir sparing your time just to be with us. We are grateful!