Internews launches information sharing research

Providence Moyo, Senior Reporter

Internews launched the Information Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) through the help of  USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA) on Friday in Bulawayo.

 The IEU was launched at a close out ceremony of Internews’  Rooted in  Trust 2 project.

IEA is a research by Internews in partnership with  ZACRAS on information sharing systems during the Covid-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. It is aimed  at tackling misinformation and rumours around the pandemic, with youths being a special focus. 

The findings of the report were based on data gathered from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Midlands.

Speaking during the ceremony that was held at Cresta Churchill in Bulawayo, Internews regional director  Brice Rambaud said the project is a success.

“This is a show of the good relationship between organisations and citizens through sharing of information during research. This kind of research shows that the implementers had citizens at heart as the outcome of the research is the experiences of an ordinary person and this down-top approach is what communities need in order for development to prevail,” said Rambo.

 USAID-BHA director Marialice Ariens said she is confident that the research will assist leaders in information sharing during pandemics in order to deal with rumours and misinformation.

“Information is  a basic tool that citizens use to make decisions hence they need adequate and reliable information that will help  in choices that affect everyday life  especially where health issues are concerned,” she said.

Rooted in Trust project manager, Senziwani Ndlovu expressed optimism that the research will help formulate better communication channels   as far as the health sector is concerned.   

“In information sharing systems, it is important for  policy makers  to tackle issues beforehand  rather than giving feedback after the public has consumed data from unreliable sources because damage control is at times difficult to implement. We are confident that the recommendations made in the research will add value and at least help  inform communication systems in times of pandemics,” she added.

According to the research, some of the rumours that circulated in Zimbabwe in relation to COVID 19 and its vaccines are that it affects fertility, causes men’s sexual dysfunction and impotency , is associated with satanism where one gets a chip after vaccination, is a Western way of wiping out Africans who are not adding value to the economy, after contacting the virus one dies while vomiting maggots, one dies 2 years after vaccination, leads to wrinkles, among other scientifically unproven rumours.

Rooted in Trust 2.0 is a global pandemic information response program funded by USAID -BHA and implemented by Internews to counter the unprecedented scale and spread of rumours and misinformation on healthy issues with special focus being given to but not limited to COVID related issues with the goal of building a healthier information ecosystem that caters for the needs of the vulnerable and minority individuals in Matebeland North, South , Midlands, Masvingo and Bulawayo provinces.