We have partnered with UNESCO through its Regional Bureau Abuja on Sensitization on Dis- and Mis-information on COVID-19 in the region.
The sensitization is through a “CALL FOR JINGLES AGAINST DIS AND MIS-INFORMATION ON COVID-19” with submissions open between 10 May to 5:00 PM 25 May 2020 GMT+1. This call is open to all the residents aged between 18 and 35 years in the non-Sahel region of West Africa (namely, Benin Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo).
Women, girls and people living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to participate.
Dis- and mis-information on COVID-19 is already indeed prolific in media landscape, which threatens not only individuals but also societies as a whole. It results in citizens endangering themselves by ignoring scientific advice, amplifies distrust in policymakers and governments, as well as diverts journalists’ efforts towards reactive disproving of falsehoods instead of proactive reporting of new information.
Hence, this call for jingles/short videos aims to:
More than ever, the society needs reliable information to adapt its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and combat rumors, dis- and misinformation. UNESCO, as the UN Agency saddled with the promotion of freedom of expression and access to information is interested at empowering the society, with increased capacities of resilience in the face of “fake news”, including dis- and mis-information that proceeded the COVID 19 epidemic.
In view of that jingles/short videos are an effective format of conveying messages in the African contexts, especially for those who have limited access to Internet, UNESCO Abuja Office is organizing a call for jingles/short videos to combat dis- and mis-information on COVID-19.
This call for jingles/short videos aims to:
Guideline and Rules
This call is open to all the residents aged between 18 and 35 in the non-Sahel region of West Africa (namely, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo) between May 10 -25, 2020. Women, girls and people living with disabilities are strongly encouraged to participate.
Step 1: Identify one piece of dis- and mis-information that your jingle would react on, e.g. “Coronavirus is only for the wealthy.” and “Drinking detergent can kill coronavirus.” (This website may be helpful: https://www.poynter.org/coronavirusfactsalliance/)
Step 2: Make a one (1) minute or less of jingles in the format of audio or video pointing the dis- and mis-information and conveying correct information instead. (Some Youtube videos on “How to create a jingle?” may help make your jingle catchy.)
Step 3: Post your jingle on one of your social media handles (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram), using hashtag #JinglesAgainstCovid19, #UnescoCallForJingles, and tagging at least three other friends to enter this call.
For more information on this exercise and how to participate, visit UNESCO website.
For more information on this project, and our commitment to social and environmental areas and incorporating sustainable development. Click Here.