KNCDC trains journalists on emergency health reporting
The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has hosted a two-day Emergency Risk Communication workshop to strengthen media reporting and information management during public health emergencies in the state.
SolaceBase reports that the two-day residential workshop, organised with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme, followed the identification of gaps in Risk Communication and Community Engagement during recent Joint External Evaluation and multi-hazard preparedness assessments, and was held in Kaduna.
The workshop revolved around improving media engagement during outbreaks, ethical emergency reporting, managing misinformation, strengthening collaboration between journalists and health authorities, and developing a media-focused Emergency Risk Communication plan for Kano State.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the workshop reflected the growing importance of journalism in safeguarding public health, especially during emergencies.
According to him, information management during outbreaks must be handled with care, as unverified or poorly framed reports could trigger panic and undermine response efforts.
He noted that while journalists often have access to early signals, not all information should be released to the public without proper verification.
‘’Sometimes, causing panic in a community can be more destructive than the disease itself,” Dr Yusuf said, stressing that emergencies are often measured in hours or days, and that careless communication could cost lives.
He explained that, just like in medical practice where health workers consider worst-case scenarios during diagnosis, suspected disease cases must be carefully investigated, isolated and confirmed before public disclosure.
Dr Yusuf also cautioned against violating patient privacy, warning that publishing identifiable details without consent could have legal consequences.
Earlier, the Director General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the workshop became necessary following the identification of critical gaps in risk communication and community engagement during recent health assessments.
“This workshop was designed to address the gaps identified during the Joint External Evaluation and multi-hazard preparedness assessment,” Prof. Abbas said, adding that the media remains a key partner in managing public health emergencies.
He said journalists have a responsibility to prevent the spread of false information, correct myths and harmful practices, and promote evidence-based decision-making that builds public trust in official health guidance.
Prof. Abbas further noted that responsible media engagement should promote preventive behaviours such as hand hygiene, vaccination, safe food practices and environmental sanitation, while reinforcing official public health advisories.
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Also speaking, media expert and editor with The Daily Reality Newspaper, Malam Aisar Salihu Musa, said information often spreads faster than disease, making journalists critical actors in outbreak response.
“Trust is the most valuable currency during emergencies,” Musa said, adding that where public trust is strong, public health interventions are more likely to succeed.
He urged journalists to see themselves as information gatekeepers, collaborate closely with health agencies, and uphold transparency and ethical standards in order to maintain credibility.
Speaking on behalf of participants, Kano State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspaper, Bashir Bello, said the workshop had reinforced the importance of verification in journalism.
“No matter how tight the deadline is, verification must come first,” Bello said, noting that society depends on journalists for accurate and responsible information.
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