The role of media in covid19

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-12COV-2). The coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan-China. It has since spread to other countries across the globe, more than four million cases have been reported, resulting in more than three hundred thousand deaths. It is not all gloomy, as close to two million people have also recovered. The virus is mostly spread between people during close contact, often via small droplets produced during coughing, sneezing, or talking. The virus can survive on the surface for up to 72 hours. Currently, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 while researchers are doing their best in discovering the vaccine The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30th January 2020 and a pandemic on 11th March 2020. One of the prime measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic is for the population to stay aware of accurate and reliable information about its development around the world. This measure encompasses creating awareness and disseminating other preventive measures to the public through various media platforms and local means. With its devastating effects, journalists in Cameroon have a greater role to play in making sure that the general public is aware of the pandemic. Journalists in Cameroon like their counterparts across the globe have been doing their best in reporting on the coronavirus outbreak. The role of the media be it social, broadcast, or print is diverse and vast. This involves educating the people, informing the population about the pandemic and also disseminating measures on how to combat its spread