NBSZ Launches Countrywide Media Engagements

THE National Blood Service of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has kick-started nationwide Media education meetings in a bid to sensitise Journalists as well as promote informed and accurate reportage of blood and blood products issues.

By Michael Gwarisa

Speaking at the NBSZ Harare media education workshop, NBSZ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Lucy Marowa said the media play a key role in communicating the NBSZ message to its stakeholders.

We recognise the media as an important stakeholder to the NBSZ. For us to do whatever work we do and be able to get recognition in the community, comes from the publicity that we get when you write about us.

“It’s you that makes the community know that the NBSZ exists, it is you that alerts us to things in the community that are not well regarding our operations, regarding the services that we offer and regarding anything to do with blood donations. If things are not well in the community, just let us know, there are times when things happen and we are not aware, that is where you come through and we will know what to do and where to go,” said Ms Marowa.

She added that coverage of the NBSZ has been positive over the past 12 months and this has contributed significantly in the NBSZ brand development exercise.

Some of the Journalists at the NBSZ Media engagement

“We are hoping that these series of events are going to help us as the NBSZ and will also help you as the NBSZ so that we have a mutually beneficial relationship that goes on going forward. We are actually thinking of setting up Media Awards to appreciate our local media.”

She also said the organisation was using world class state of the art technology in the processes but the laboratory side needs funds for recapitalisation.

Zimbabwe Union Journalists (ZUJ) Secretary General, Mr Foster Dongozi applauded the initiative by the NBSZ to engage the media and called on both parties to collaborate in communicating the right message to the public.

ZUJ Secretary General Mr Foster Dongozi at the NBZS Media engagement
ZUJ Secretary General Mr Foster Dongozi at the NBZS Media engagement

“As we embark on the program to report on blood issues, ZUJ urges the media to report responsibly and avoid creating unjustified panic that could worsen the situation. In light of the importance of blood services, ZUJ believes the media’s role is to provide citizens with very accurate and factual reporting and avoid sensationalism reporting that could lead to general panic and fear.

[pullquote]“Respect for the facts and for the right of the public to the truth is the first duty of Journalists. Journalists and media must report of facts and reliable scientific sources and avoid speculation,” said Mr Dongozi.[/pullquote]

He also called on the NBSZ to have an open door policy to the media so as to avoid misinformed and speculative reporting by practitioners.

Finally on the awards issue, I would want going forward to have a situation whereby the media and NBSZ have a day in which we come together as Journalists, media workers and student journalists to come and donate blood as a way of building awareness to some of the issues to do with the blood.

“It would be very critical to introduce an award on the best journalist writing on issues to do with blood. Yes organisations do standalone awards and we as a union also have our own wards. The advantage of having an award is that you would have created other than yourself other public relations officers around the country who will be writing on issues to do with the blood.”

 

 

 

 

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