World Health Organization (WHO) Gambia trained 60 local journalists on prevention and management of misinformation in the context of COVID-19.  From 18^th to 19^th January 2021, journalists were equipped with skills to deal with misconceptions and fake news like “COVID-19 is over".

Without a strong media engagement, the spread of rumours and misconceptions through social media and other means can slow the fight against the pandemic.

Explaining rumour management, Mr Mass Joof, Public Health Officer in Directorate of Health Promotion and Education reminded journalists to always uphold code of ethics in guiding the society from misinformation. 

He further unpacked the strategies, " Engage the community from where the rumour is coming from. Stay calm and focus on subject matter once you hear rumours. Do not create panic and stick to key messages; being factual and straight to the point. Use credible sources and avoid joining in circulating rumours"  

Currently, the perception that "COVID-19 is over" have probably resulted in noncompliance with recommended guidelines such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, sanitizing. This have also culminated in the low uptake of health essential services especially voluntary testing for COVID-19.

A coordinated approach between media and stakeholders such a Ministries of Information, Health and WHO is ideal in improving COVID-19 news gathering.

“As MOH we need Journalists to verify. We are there to provide you with correct information. and we post on our website,” says Mr Sawanjali Deputy Director in Directorate of Health Promotion and Education.

Omar Bah, journalist from The Standard newspaper who attended the workshop said he has benefited from the training since he is now ready to engage in positive reporting towards COVID-19 pandemic. He was eager to tell stories from hard-to-reach areas.

"The programme has set us from being reporters to being part of response team, engaging communities to understand their problems. We are now chain agents and not just disseminators of information. We can now define social needs of communities, and speak about them in our reporting," said Omar Bah

Media urged to inform the public on the risk of the COVID-19 adequately

The World Health Organization (WHO) convened a symposium with the media from the 18th to 19th of January 2021. The engagement, which journalists attended from public and private media, centered on COVID-19 prevention and information dissemination.

Professionals in the media industry will work round the clock to adequately inform the public against risk perceptions regarding the COVID-19 second wave.  The workshop emphasized the media's role in shifting low community risk perception and addressing drivers of COVID-19.

Mr. Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Specialist, World Health Organization, implored journalists to change "communication gear" from mere passage of information to behavior and social change communication to address current behavioral challenges and risk perceptions regarding COVID-19. He asked journalists to provide the public with adequate COVID-19 information.

"We are now seeing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases after a couple of quiet months. Therefore, we need to find means of changing the current state of affairs – non-compliance with the recommended public health measures - and devote our attention to changing risk perception around the disease. The solution to   COVID-19 lies in the hands of communities," said Momodou Gassama. 

Some of the public domain perceptions assume that "COVID-19 is no longer in existence," and some are developing negative conscience towards COVID-19 vaccines. 

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health research revealed increasing vaccine hesitancy coupled with information and disinformation shared on social media.

Ousman Manneh, journalist Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), admitted that most media houses lacked coverage towards the COVID-19 pandemic. This opened an avenue for the spread of fake news and misinformation in social media.

"Media companies had relaxed in providing reportage on COVID-19 due to a slowdown of cases. At some point, we had no new cases, and many media houses were not giving updates. In the beginning, we had a lot of anxiety when the first case was confirmed. At some point, there was a delay in getting press statements or conference with us. Things have changed a lot drastically since then. Very few journalists are following the stories. I think the Ministry should continue to engage the media," said Ousman Manneh.  

Religious leaders join hands in fighting COVID-19

In partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the government of Gambia empowered faith leaders in mainstreaming the fight against COVID- 19.

This follows a training workshop held with 15 members of the Islamic Supreme Council, Christian Council, Ahmadiyya Jamaat, and other religious groups on the 15th of January 2021 in Banjul.

The aim was to intensify the fight against COVID-19 by targeting heads of religious movements.

Religious leaders are essential to enlighten followers in adhering to COVID-19 basic guidelines—handwashing, social distancing, and wearing facemasks.

Mr. Demba Jallow, Secretary for Administration in the Islamic religion of the Gambia, propagated for religious leaders involvement, saying they play an essential role in information

dissemination in the society.  “We were lagging, and they have now realized that together as a nation, we can win the battle against COVID-19. People respect religious leaders; hence they should take a leading role in educating communities using interpersonal communication,” said Jallow.

Sentiments resonate with the COVID-19 Strategy for risk communication and community engagement, which the Ministry of Health developed with the support of WHO, UNICEF, and other UN agencies

The training of religious leaders revealed their willingness to ensure COVID-19 behavior change, but this will become successful with the availing of hand sanitizers and facemasks.

“We call for the government and UN to support with masks, soap, and hand sanitizers for our congregants. We need to reinforce social distancing in our mosque following expectations of the Islam,” Demba Jallow added.

Mr. Sunkary Badjie, Principal Community Development Officer from the Department of Community Development, also echoed similar views. “Religious leaders will instill teachings on COVID-19 guidelines. They might face challenges on preventive materials such as masks and hand sanitizers, soap, and other detergents in Churches and Mosques,” Said Sunkary Badgie.

Radio and Television programs with religious leaders in local languages will help raise COVID-19 awareness.