People in the press are at the forefront of informing the public, at large, of the vaccination program. In presenting information on the COVID-19 vaccine, media workers should include supporting data and scientific explanations from expertsJakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin affirmed that media workers were at the forefront of delivering precise information of the COVID-19 vaccine and its vaccination program to the public at large.
Amin is optimistic that media workers would offer accurate data, information, and scientific explanations on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine to raise public awareness of vaccination.
"People in the press are at the forefront of informing the public, at large, of the vaccination program. In presenting information on the COVID-19 vaccine, media workers should include supporting data and scientific explanations from experts," he remarked while providing training to participants of the Behavior Change Journalism Fellowship (FJPP) virtually from Jakarta on Monday.
The vice president sought support from media workers to promote the government's "Vaccination for the Country" Program through appropriate coverage.
"I would like to seek the support of members of the press to support the smooth dissemination of vaccine information that we have awaited," he remarked.
In conveying information on the vaccine, Amin drew attention of the importance of an approach through social media as the means most widely used by Indonesians to access information.
Referring to the Ministry of Communication and Informatics' survey, the vice president noted that social media was the chief platform for Indonesians to access information, followed by television, online news sites, official government websites, print media, and radio.
"Members of the press should pay attention to the high popularity of social media, as a medium for disseminating information, so that they can continue to present accurate and innovative information through social media," he remarked.
On the occasion, he lauded media workers, who are members of the FJPP program, for supporting the government's efforts to raise awareness of the campaign for healthy behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, Amin advised media workers to abide by health protocols in fulfilling journalistic tasks, especially in areas at high risk of COVID-19 transmission.
"This program is expected to yield tangible results for the Indonesian people in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. I advise you to stay safe while on duty, and do not be lax with the application of health protocols, especially while covering high-risk locations or areas," he added.
EDITED BY INE
Related news: Vaccination can halt COVID-19 spread in Indonesia: IDI
Related news: Business circle upbeat about COVID-19 vaccine ending uncertainty
Translator: Fransiska N, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
