QUETTA: The social media activists, journalists and experts have discussed the vital role of social media in preventing the false information regarding polio vaccine and anti-polio drives in Pakistan.
The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Balochistan and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have organized a one-day workshop here in Quetta on Monday to discuss the important role of social media in eradicating dis-information through virus social media accounts regarding anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in the world where the crippling polio virus still endemic and risking the future of children with lifetime disability.
The Balochistan Government has kicked-off seven-day anti-polio drive to administer anti polio drops among the 2.5 million children below the age of five.
Addressing the workshop, the Coordinator Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Syed Zahid Shah emphasized on the role of social media to counter the misinformation regarding anti-polio vaccine and campaigns.
“Social media has become a speedy tool to spread information and news to worldwide. We need to aware citizens regarding verification of news and rumors circulating on social media.” Coordinator EOC Zahid Shah addressed the participants.
He said, ironically there are many negative hearsays and dis-information regarding polio vaccine in Pakistan which has been discouraging efforts to eradicate polio virus from Pakistan.
“The journalist community running social media pages should come forward to curb negative propaganda against polio vaccine.” Zahid Shah added.
Senior Journalist Saleem Shahid said, despite decade long efforts to eradicate polio virus from Pakistan, the virus still threatening our children and dozens of polio workers and law enforcement personnel have sacrificed their lives in attacks against polio teams.
“There are hundreds of print and electronic media outlets operating across Pakistan, but social media platform would be an impactful source to counter false information regarding anti-polio drives.” Shahid added.
Former President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Shahzada Zulfiqar urged the youth to avoid becoming part of misinformation related to polio vaccine.
“Now the journalist community particularly the youth running social media groups have to play their active role to inform the masses regarding importance of anti-polio drops.” He said.
