Media Regulator Appeals for Ethical Reporting on Coronavirus Pandemic

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release dated 27 March 2020 the Independent Media Commission (IMC) revealed that it has been monitoring with keen interest local media coverage and reportage on the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

It furthered that while the Commission appreciates the significant roles the print and electronic media are playing in providing public education and increasing public awareness on the outbreak, its impacts and preventive measures; it is urging all media practitioners to continue to abide by international best practices and ethical standards/guideline in health and disaster reporting.

The Commission says it is now calling on all media owners to ensure the protection and welfare of their staff further urging the public to adhere to the correct messages from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).

Chairman of the IMC, George S. Khoryama, said they are therefore calling on all to stop sharing fake, inaccurate or distorted information and rumours about the pandemic, to avoid spreading fear/panic.

The Calabash Newspaper The Calabash Newspaper

The Calabash Newspaper Established in 2017, The Calabash Newspaper serves as a trusted platform for news and general information dissemination, catering to a broad Sierra Leonean audience both at home and abroad through its active presence on social media. The publication is committed to engaging its diverse readership by reporting on topical news events in Sierra Leone, enriched with editorials and insightful commentaries on pressing issues of the day. In addition to local news, The Calabash Newspaper expands its scope to include topics of continental interest, drawing from various international publications that address political, economic, and social developments across Africa.

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