GJA cautions media on Ebola coverage

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has cautioned journalists to guard against over exuberance in their coverage of the killer Ebola disease.

A statement issued in Accra on Thursday by Mr Affail Monney, GJA President and copied to Ghana News Agency, said Ebola has no known cure, and is fast spreading, especially in West Africa, compelling the World Health Organisation to declare the situation a global emergency.

It said although the deadly disease has not yet surfaced in Ghana, the media should refrain from staging public frights with their reportage of cases sent to hospital which display symptoms similar to that of Ebola.

“Journalists are advised that in their coverage of the disease, they should as much as possible deal with the right medical sources, refrain from peddling hearsay and remember that the public has the right to unbiased, accurate, balanced and comprehensive information concerning any suspected cases.

“There is no need for journalists to be too eager to be the first to break a story in their community on Ebola, and thereby, rush to file reports without making adequate inquires and cross-checking their facts on suspected cases of the disease. Such approach could lead to unnecessary public fear and panic,” the statement said.

It said the people’s basic right to know is essential to overcoming the deadly disease. The responsible facilitation by the media of the people’s right to know is therefore critical to ensure that citizens develop the right mentality and adopt the correct hygienic conditions that medical experts prescribe for combating the disease.

There is the need for circumspection and decorum on the part of the media in their coverage of the Ebola crisis in order to promote effective measures and concerted efforts at tackling threats by the disease, the statement said.