Ramallah (10/03/2020) - The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms "MADA" is continuing its media campaign to combat rumors and false news that are connected with the spread of what is known as Virus Covid-19 or "Corona" in the Palestinian territories. It is worth mentioning that the campaign was launched for last Thursday (05/03/2020) and will continue during the developments of the disease. Especially since some Corona cases were discovered and confirmed, and were accompanied by repetitive news, some of which are inaccurate and false. This was noted through social media platforms and some other media outlets. Today, a video was published about the campaign's goals and how to benefit from them, in addition to a new poster.

The campaign included, during the past few days, a group of publications aimed at educating journalists / social media activists and various media outlets, and urging them to be careful and cautious during the reporting of the spread of this disease. Especially since such news causes fear and panic among citizens, which may reflect negatively on security of the community. The campaign also contained a group of publications urging journalists to pay more attention to the sources of information related to the spread of the virus, and the need obtain the information from its primary sources, such as the Ministry of Health in Palestine and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Moreover, the publications included advice to journalists covering their news of the disease, such as paying attention to the headlines used by most readers to obtain information, and paying more attention to numbers and statistics published by sources that may sometimes lack accuracy due to the acceleration of events.

Once again, MADA Center emphasizes and stresses the importance of freedom of opinion and expression, and the freedom of all individuals to express their views on various issues, but it also stresses the need to fight and combat false news and rumors and the necessity of everyone's contribution, especially the press body, in achieving this.

While MADA Center welcomes the government's efforts to limit the spread of the disease and spread the news related to it, and the efforts of all civil and media organizations, activists, and community initiatives. It also affirms the necessity of respecting freedom of expression and human rights in light of the emergency related to the disease in Palestine. Additionally, the Center reaffirms that the publication of facts and accurate and timely information is the best way to fight rumors and false news, and that preserving the integrity of society is the responsibility of everyone; government, institutions, organizations  and individuals.

To watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muc_qQ8icI0&list=PLRCLPAgeUPgEOeD1YbU_6Oyx1HsGTcTRs&index=21&fbclid=IwAR0z0HPw1pXs9SIFD-k7BBmY2xedvSsV8TVRRcnj2lfYCcOXmSRgO4EvTLQ

#Spreading_Rumors_about_Corona_Isn’t _Freedom_Expression