is a United Nations initiative that calls on people around the world to become 鈥渋nformation volunteers鈥 and share UN-verified, science-based content to keep their families and communities safe and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. to join us and become an information volunteer.
From sharing vital health information about COVID-19 to providing educational programmes during school closures, radio stations operated by United Nations peacekeeping missions are now offering vital services amid the pandemic. , the station of the 缅北禁地peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (), has become the first media outlet to respond to a request from the Congolese Government to provide education via radio. , the station of the 缅北禁地Mission in South Sudan (), is helping the country鈥檚 awareness-raising campaign.
More and more of us are in touch via remote methods, including during times of crisis, to get informed and organize a response to COVID-19.
How radio is lending Malawi鈥檚 farmers a hand in the fight against COVID-19
From misinformation about the use of disinfectants to combat the coronavirus, to false claims that the virus can spread through radio waves and mobile networks, unreliable information is hurting the global effort to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. By dispelling rumours, fake news, and messages of hate and division, the United Nations is working to spread accurate information. To rally forces behind this effort, the 缅北禁地is launching a new COVID-19 Communications Response Initiative based on science, solutions and solidarity to fight misinformation.
The song Protect your Life, by the Raised Fists collective of Niger, raises awareness of, and mobilizes against, the spread of COVID-19 across Africa. The song makes part of the online campaign . This crowdsourced creative content addresses the urgent need for culturally relevant openly licensed information in African languages to inform communities about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and combat the 鈥渋nfodemic鈥 spreading misinformation about the virus.
Colombian investigative journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima has been named as the laureate of the 2020 /Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on the recommendation of an independent international jury of media professionals. 鈥淭he courage and commitment of Jineth Bedoya Lima, doubly exposed to unacceptable risks as a woman and as a journalist, inspire profound respect,鈥 said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. 鈥淲e need the work of professional and independent journalists.鈥
From teaming up with some of the best-known football stars and popular local musicians, to launching a direct messaging campaign, the United Nations is joining forces with new partners to share vital information about coronavirus. These efforts include the World Health Organization (WHO) launch of a dedicated in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, partnering with WhatsApp and Facebook to share critical guidance on COVID-19. WhatsApp Health Alert attracted 10 million users in the first days of launch.
From selling fake coronavirus cures online to cyberattacks on hospitals, crime and misinformation is also increasing during the COVID-19 crisis. The United Nations has stepped up its fight against a proliferation of false information about the virus. The excessive amount of information, infodemics, can hamper an effective public health response and create confusion and distrust among people. Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres has also warned about the dangerous epidemic of misinformation.
The WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub offers tips and resources for users around the world to reduce the spread of rumours and to obtain accurate health information.
Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity and a platform for democratic discourse. At the global level, radio remains the most widely consumed medium. This unique ability to reach the widest audience means radio can shape a society鈥檚 experience of diversity, stand as an arena for all voices to speak out, be represented and heard. Radio stations should serve diverse communities, offering a wide variety of programmes, viewpoints and content. On , calls on radio stations to uphold diversity, both in their newsroom and on the airwaves.
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The is now accepting applications from professional journalists for its . The application deadline is Friday, March 6, 2020. The fellowships are available to radio, television, print and web journalists, age 25 to 35, who are interested in coming to New York to report on international affairs during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
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