Tackling Health Misinformation Through Community Media: A Landmark Initiative

By Yomi Durojaye 

The Association of Practitioners of Community Media (APCOM) is proud to announce a landmark initiative in partnership with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board and Nigeria Health Watch. This collaborative effort aims to address the pressing issue of health misinformation within communities.

Tackling Health Misinformation Through Community Media: A Landmark Initiative

The launch of this joint initiative was announced during an interactive session held in Lagos on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024. APCOM's National President, Mr. Abayomi Adejumo, led the session, which marked the beginning of a concerted effort to promote accurate health information and dispel harmful misconceptions.

Through this partnership, APCOM, Nigeria Health Watch, and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board are committed to empowering communities with reliable health knowledge, fostering a culture of informed decision-making, and ultimately improving health outcomes.

The partnership aims to:

- Develop and disseminate accurate health information

- Counter misinformation and myths

- Promote health literacy

- Support community-led health initiatives

- Strengthen the capacity of community media practitioners to report on health issues accurately

Mr. Abara Etim, Program Manager of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized the importance of community media practitioners in disseminating health information to community dwellers. "We cannot achieve this alone, but with a smooth collaboration with community media practitioners, we can create impact."

Mrs. Temidayo Adewuyi, Public Health Officer from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, representing the Primary Health Care Board, praised the initiative. "This is a laudable initiative that we would like to key into. We have executed various health programs in the past, and health advocacy is one of our top priorities."

Mr. Oloyede Kolawole, Acting Public Relations Officer of APCOM, thanked the representatives of Nigeria Health Watch and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board for creating an opportunity for deliberation. He urged them to continue communicating with community media practitioners, emphasizing APCOM's readiness to partner with them.

AgegePulse, Lagos Panorama, Oriwu Sun, others to benefit from LASG Quarterly Media Campaign on Gov Ambode's Achievements

Agege Pulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government on Monday launched the Second Community Media Campaign on Ambode’s achievements in a bid to enlighten communities.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan

The campaign will enable them to know about the present administration’s initiative in improving the lives of the people at the grassroots and assist the government to meet the felt needs of its residents.

Speaking at the official launch which was held at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan stated that the Quarterly Community Media Campaign for the Community Media Practitioners in the State was part of the present administration’s community driven initiative.

Bamigbetan noted that the Quarterly Media Campaign is to showcase all the land mark achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through the Community Newspapers such as tourism,  security,  environment and community development.

He stated further that the campaign will use the print, electronic and social media segments of the community media in Lagos State to reach their audiences spread across the state.

Bamigbetan, maintained that beyond the placement of advertorials in print and spotlights on radio, the campaign will encourage continuous reportage of community development associations and other stakeholders active at the grassroots.

The beneficiaries of the Quarterly Media Campaign inludes; Oriwu Sun Newspaper, The Impact Newspaper, Ilupeju Today Newspaper, Ifako- Ijaye Post Newspaper, Ifako- Ijaye Voice, The Grassroots Newspaper, Agege Pulse Magazine, Town watch Newspaper, Epe Times Newspaper, Our Community Newspaper, Ikorodu News Newspaper, Surulere Watch Newspaper, Mushine Newspaper,News Aeena, City 105.1 FM, Blackface FM, LASPOTECH FM, Inside Mainland Online, Agege Online and UNILAG FM.