Thu, 18 Jan 2018 11:15:48 +0000
By JACKSON MAPAPAYI
SOLWEZI District Commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga has urged media houses in the district not to alarm the public by publishing unconfirmed information on the current prevailing situation of cholera.
Ms Kamalonga said the media plays a great role in information dissemination hence the need to publish verified information.
She said publishing unverified information has potential to cause panic among members of the general public.
In a joint meeting with the District Joint Operations Committee, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, the Ministry of Health, Solwezi Municipal Council and the Media, the District commissioner said the story which was aired on one of a named local radio station that the cultural centre had been identified as a burial site for cholera victims sent a very wrong signal.
She clarified that the facility had been identified as an epidemic centre contrary to what was aired.
‘’So let me take this opportunity to urge all media houses in the district to always publish and air verified information from relevant authorities in order to avoid panic among members of the general public,’’ Ms Kamalonga said.
She emphasised the need for media houses to always verify the information before broadcasting.
Meanwhile, the DC has called on Solwezi residents to turn up in large numbers to clean the district to prevent the spread of cholera.
