Zawaya

The media has to act responsibly

By: Noureddine Chaouki

I think that the media has a prominent role in informing people objectively about this disease: stating the obvious!

Given that it is a matter of defence and national security, we must treat it apart from all differences, political or otherwise.

A journalist must first be properly informed before tackling such a subject. There is a basic prerequisite that one is supposed to have assimilated well in order to better understand what is happening, and better guide communication.

When you know what you are talking about, and your information is based on scientific knowledge, you can then inform knowingly.

Journalists specializing in medical information should be best placed to deal with such subjects. This does not mean that other journalists cannot write about the subject! I just meant that a well documented information is one thing, and commenting it is another thing.

To limit the effects of an epidemic in crisis situations like the ones we are going through, correct and objective information is an asset that is as valuable as drugs themselves, but it is also a very problematic asset to manage. We should anticipate without haste, and mobilize without panic. It’s not an easy task, and little progress has been made in this field.