The press is one step ahead
I still remember clearly, before the Covid-19 epidemic hit, Dak Nong was facing a diphtheria epidemic in Dak Glong, Tuy Duc, and Dak R'lap districts. And to avoid "on top of epidemic" when the whole country implemented the Prime Minister's direction "fighting the epidemic like fighting the enemy", it was also the time when reporters regularly followed the Provincial Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control to travel all over the country to inspect the epidemic prevention and control work.
During those trips, in order to promptly convey information and orient public opinion, especially the leadership and direction of the province on epidemic prevention and control, we reporters often had quick conversations on the car with comrade Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control in Dak Nong province.
Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh often shares: "The Covid-19 epidemic is a new type of epidemic, many scientific issues and even the authorities at all levels do not fully understand. Meanwhile, Dak Nong is still experiencing a diphtheria epidemic.
"The media and press need to be one step ahead, not only providing fast, accurate, and timely information, but also contributing to orienting public opinion, creating peace of mind for people, and being ready to fight the epidemic with a steadfast mindset."
Ms. Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of Dak Nong Provincial People's Committee
Stemming from that spirit, to meet the requirements of information on epidemic prevention and control, regardless of the time, reporters need to ask questions or have information, the Dak Nong Provincial Steering Committee for Disease Prevention and Control will always be ready to respond immediately.
Reporters are also reminded to ensure accuracy and honesty of information, not to exaggerate matters, and to avoid causing panic among the people. Therefore, from the beginning, information about epidemic prevention and control work has always been carried out carefully. Only when there is a firm grasp and official opinion from the Provincial Steering Committee and government leaders at all levels will we report.
Reporter Ngo Lan, Dak Nong Radio and Television Station, is always proactive, a pioneer, and has a lot of experience in propaganda work on epidemic prevention and control. As soon as she went to the epidemic area with the Provincial Steering Committee, in addition to preparing full equipment, Ms. Lan always thought about how to interview provincial leaders about their opinions related to the epidemic prevention and control situation at that time.
"With the strength of television, in addition to reporting on the local epidemic situation, the images and opinions of provincial leaders right at the scene are very "valuable" details, creating a very high effect for people in times of "boiling water and fire". When people see the images of provincial leaders always present right at the "epicenter", it gives them more motivation to be ready to overcome difficult times."
Reporter Ngo Lan, Dak Nong Provincial Radio and Television Station
Just like that, the articles reflecting and recording the epidemic prevention and control work in localities as well as the drastic direction of the provincial leaders at that time were always timely right at the "epicenter". Reporters often said to each other: Journalists as well as other forces on the front lines of epidemic prevention and control must always uphold the slogan "wherever there is an epidemic, we will go!", regardless of difficulties and hardships.
Spread the spirit of epidemic prevention
Indeed, we have many memories of our reporting trips during the “hot water and fire” period. What we feel is that the press has promptly informed the actual situation at the epidemic sites as well as the opinions and guidance of the provincial Party Committee and government on disease prevention and control.
I still remember, right at the time when the locality recorded the first Covid-19 case, the Party Committee and the government of Dak Nong province made a lot of efforts, focusing on all measures and solutions to strengthen the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic with a completely different mindset. With the spirit of rushing forward, the Provincial Steering Committee determined that it is better to do it strongly, rather than suffer a little but prevent long-term disasters. If we hesitate, consider, and discuss for a long time, the epidemic will have time to spread strongly in the community and may lead to "breaking the battle".
More than ever, our press quickly conveyed and spread the directive spirit of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Provincial Steering Committee on the need to be calm and decisive to the Party committees, authorities, and people in the province. Thereby, the authorities and people at all levels not only avoided panic and fear but also showed their determination to jointly defeat the dangerous pandemic.
Mr. Ho Van Mien, Director of the Provincial Radio and Television Station, said: “At that time, the press team in the province was always cautious when reporting information, especially spreading the general direction, so that the Party Committee, government, and people of all walks of life had high determination and efforts in the work of epidemic prevention and control.
Leaders of media agencies, including the Provincial Radio and Television Station, always thoroughly inform reporters that, in addition to providing quick and timely information about the epidemic situation, the most important thing is to be accurate, honest, and ensure the general direction of the province.
Mr. Ho Van Mien, Director of Provincial Radio and Television Station
In the recent report assessing the results of 3 years of implementing Covid-19 prevention and control work by the Department of Health, it was affirmed that: the epidemic situation is well controlled, the death rate due to Covid-19 is decreasing, the rate of basic vaccination is increasing, largely due to people having access to a lot of media information, so awareness in disease prevention and control is raised.
Not only the Covid-19 epidemic, every time there are epidemics in the province such as dengue fever, diphtheria, hand, foot and mouth disease, reporters from press agencies always accompany and share responsibility with the health sector, worthy of being soldiers on the extremely arduous and fierce front of epidemic prevention and control.
Doctor Huynh Thanh Huynh, Deputy Director of Dak Nong Provincial Department of Health
Communication work has created a high consensus in the whole society, not only promoting epidemic prevention and control, praising typical examples and good practices, but also promptly preventing bad, false, and fake information that negatively affects the psychology of the anti-epidemic force and causes confusion and anxiety among the people.
Doctor Huynh Thanh Huynh, Deputy Director of the Department of Health affirmed: "With the great contribution of the media and press, the whole province has promoted the tradition of solidarity, aroused the spirit of mutual love, mutual assistance, and high consensus in the work of preventing and fighting epidemics of all kinds in the area, especially diphtheria and Covid-19".
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