Dr. Venatus Agbanu
By Sunny A. David
The people of Anambra State have been charged to be mindful of the sources of the information they access amidst COVID-19 pandemic era.
The Head, Mass Communication Department, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, Dr. Venatus Agbanu gave the charge during a radio station programme in Awka.
The don who spoke extensively on the topic “News flow in this COVID-19 pandemic era” noted that news come from different sources which he enumerated to include traditional mass media, social and oral media and regretted that people still believe every news story they got from the media irrespective of the media.
He maintained that news from the traditional media is usually truthful due to the reliable source of the information and moreover their Journalists are well trained while most of the social media Journalists do not possess all necessary qualifications for journalism.
Dr. Agbanu assured the people that every information on COVID -19 pandemic from the traditional media which include television, radio and newspapers are real, frowning at those who are yet to believe that Coronavirus is real, attributing it to the perspective and orientation of individual.
He called on government to remember those at the fore front working at this period especially the Journalists who are working with the health personnel in getting information for the people as they are also exposed to series of health risks.
The don advising the people to check the authenticity of the information they get from social media before passing such information.
Our correspondent who monitored the programme reports that callers including Loveth from Awada, Onyedika from Onitsha and David Moore from Bridge Head said they are aware of increasing rate of cases of COVID-19 in other states and they further advised people to adhere to the safety measures of the government to curb the virus.
