International Radio and COVID-19

International Radio and COVID-19

UNESCO and radio stations mobilized to fight against COVID-19

The spread of disinformation and misinformation alongside COVID-19 is a growing concern worldwide. It is vital to reinforce media professionals' capacity, especially in developing countries where access to accurate information is limited. To this end, UNESCO and WHO have joined forces to overcome at a local level the challenges face by media professionals to provide reliable health information and deconstruct myth on COVID-19 and related vaccines. WHO experts developed the short audio messages. They will be available in the six official UN languages and indigenous and local languages from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

The audio messages can be freely downloaded and broadcast by public, private and community radio stations in various parts of the world. Please broadcast and share these videos ready to broadcast.

If you have questions, please contact : m.lourenco@unesco.org

Note: The "Edited version" of the English and Spanish spots has been cut to be almost exactly 30 seconds.

Vaccines related messages - new spots added in April 2021

Message 1: Get vaccinated for COVID-19

All the COVID-19 vaccines have been thoroughly tested, and all provide a high degree of protection against getting seriously ill and dying from the disease. So take whatever vaccine you are offered, even if you have already had COVID-19. It is important to be vaccinated as soon as possible and not wait. This way, we build immunity in our communities faster and can get back to our normal lives.

Languages:

Message 2: What to do after being vaccinated

While the COVID-19 vaccine prevents serious illness and death, we don’t know yet whether it keeps you from being infected and passing the virus on to others. So continue to physically distance yourself from others and wear a mask, especially in enclosed, crowded or poorly ventilated settings. Clean your hands frequently and cover any cough or sneeze into your bent elbow. Doing it all protects us all.

Languages:

Message 3: COVID-19 vaccine side effects to expect

Common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are similar to those of other vaccines – pain or swelling at the injection site, and fever, chills, tiredness and headache. In most cases, this is expected. Contact your care provider if there is redness, tenderness or pain where you got the shot that increases after 24 hours, or if side effects do not go away after a few days.

Languages:

Prevention and protection against COVID-19 related messages - new spots added in April 2021

Message 1:

Languages:

Message 2:

Languages:

Message 3:

Languages:

Message 4:

Languages:

Message 5:

Languages:

Message 6:

Languages:

Message 7:

Languages:

 

Older spots from 2020

Message 1: Know credible information sources Disinformation is spreading alongside the new coronavirus.

To counter this, it is important to share information that comes from reliable sources, such as health authorities and the World Health Organization.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, only trust official information sources and credible media outlets. Do not share unverified information. This is a message from UNESCO.

Languages:

 

Message 2: Teach your child MIL

Are you a parent? Now that you are spending more time at home, why not teach your child how to spot false content and rumors? Find a piece of information online that is confirmed as disinformation, and ask your child these questions: Who made this? For whom was this made? Is it from a reliable source?

During the COVID-19 outbreak, only trust official information sources and credible media outlets. Do not share unverified information. This is a message from UNESCO.

Languages:

 

Message 3: Beware of false experts

Has someone you know sent you advice from an unknown expert against coronavirus?

Watch out, the expert may not be an authentic one! One way to manipulate information is through the use of a “false expert”, who can add more credibility to the message.

Always verify who that expert is, what their experience on the topic is, and which organization they represent.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, only trust official information sources and credible media outlets. Do not share unverified information. This is a message from UNESCO.

Languages:

 

Message 4: Gauge your emotional reaction

When you are scrolling through your news feed, and you read a message about the coronavirus, think about how it makes you feel. Does it make you feel angry? sad? or shocked?

Disinformation can be spread through the use of emotion-targeted content. Before sharing or reacting to such content, try to think of where it comes from, who might benefit from it, and who might be hurt from it. Think before clicking. Think before sharing.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, only trust official information sources and credible media outlets. Do not share unverified information. This is a message from UNESCO.

Languages:

 

Message 5: Disinformation spreads

Getting reliable health information about the COVID-19 outbreak can be a life-saver. Yet disinformation and rumours can spread just as fast as the virus itself.

Now that many of us are spending much more time online, let’s think critically about the information we are receiving and sharing, especially on the coronavirus.

Languages:

 

Message 6: Quality journalism

Getting reliable health information about the COVID-19 outbreak can be a life-saver. Rumors and false information can help further spread the virus.

To counter this epidemic, it is important to rely on information coming from professional and ethical newspapers, TV and radio channels, and news websites. Quality journalism is now more crucial than ever.

Languages:

 

Message 7: Fact-checking for social media content

Getting reliable health information about the COVID-19 outbreak can be a life-saver. If you are not certain about what you see on social media about the coronavirus, do not share it or like it.

Do some fact-checking by cross-checking sources or by visiting the World Health Organization’s website. If it is proven to be false, don’t hesitate to let people know by commenting and adding the source.

Languages:

 

Message 8: Access to information

Getting reliable health information about the COVID-19 outbreak can be a life-saver.

In a times of crisis, it is essential to guarantee freedom of expression and the right to public information, in particular to counter the spread of disinformation.

Languages:

What's New

[26-Feb-2024] - A24 plenary minutes

[5-Feb-2024] - ITU-BR Circular Letter CR/501 containing closing dates for receipt of ITU HFBC A24 and B24 schedules, info on coordination meetings in 2024/2025, IRDR and the new eHFBC platform

[28-Dec-2023] - IMPORTANT: New requirement for foreign citizens entering Malaysia effective January 1, 2024

[11-Dec-2023] - A24 upload opened. Please review and confirm your contact details prior to uploading the initial version of your A24 data.

[13-Nov-2023] - A24 registration and hotel booking opened on the A24 Conference Webpage in the Member's Area

[13-Nov-2023] - eHFBC - new ITU online platform for HF broadcasting

[30-Oct-2023] - B23 GOE report

[20-Oct-2023] - B23 plenary minutes

[9-Oct-2023] - B23 operational data snapshot

[10-Aug-2023] - Follow up on the questionnaire on transmitter tubes and table by CPI

[8-Aug-2023] - B23 initial tentative data snapshot

[26-May-2023] - Encompass Digital Media Ltd are broadcasting Democratic Voice of Burma (DVOB) 1230-1300 UTC (daily) from Dhabayya utilising IRDR frequency 21840kHz transmitting from 29th May for approximately 1 month, providing special programming to Myanmar in response to the recent cyclone

[20-May-2023] - Sad news about Tom Lucey

[5-May-2023] - Summary of the questionnaire on transmitter tubes. The Questionnaire remains open for further responses

[5-May-2023] - Steps to apply for standard (non-ETA) visa added to the B23 webpage

[1-May-2023] - Encompass Digital Media Ltd are broadcasting Agricultural Voices Syria 0300-0330 UTC (weekdays) from Dhabayya utilising IRDR frequency 11840kHz transmitting from 24th April for 2 weeks of special programming educating farmers on how to grow and manage crops within the disaster zone

[9-Mar-2023] - Deadline for answering the Questionnaire on Transmitter Tubes has been extended

[1-Mar-2023] - A23 GOE report

[28-Feb-2023] - A23 plenary minutes

[20-Feb-2023] - Reference tables updated (new station RAC)

[10-Jan-2023] - A23 initial tentative data snapshot

[15-Dec-2022] - A23 upload opened. Please review and confirm your contact details prior to uploading the initial version of your A23 data.

[17-Oct-2022] - FMO code FPU changing to JRC

[12-Oct-2022] - A23 Tunis and B23 Australia registration opened

[11-Oct-2022] - B22 operational data snapshot

[31-Jul-2022] - HFCC Announces the Passing of Dr. Jerry Plummer

[27-Jun-2022] - B22 upload opened. Please register for B22 coordination prior to uploading the initial version of your B22 data. This applies to all FMOs, including those already registered for B22 conference.

[18-May-2022] - B22 registration and hotel booking opened

[8-Mar-2022] - MBR will act as FMO for DWL from April 1st onwards. Migration of A22 schedule will proceed on March 9th

[24-Jan-2022] - RFP - Radio For Peace International have applied for membership. ITU Reference Tables updated

[17-Jan-2022] - A22 Coordination starts today with the Opening Plenary Meeting. An invitation link has been sent to participants registered.

[13-Dec-2021] - A22 Upload opened

[13-Dec-2021] - Please register for A22 coordination here

[8-Dec-2021] - You will be asked to register for A22 coordination prior to uploading the initial version of your A22 data. This will apply both to those coming to A22 conference and to those coordinating on-line. A simple registration form as well as the A22 upload itself will be opened on 13 December.

[15-Nov-2021] - A22 registration and hotel booking opened

[9-Sep-2021] - B21 data snapshot

[6-Sep-2021] - GoE Report B21

[29-Aug-2021] - B21 data snapshot

[16-Aug-2021] - Basic practical information to manage data for the HFCC Conference document available on the Basic Technical Reference webpage

[27-Jul-2021] - B21 and A21 data snapshots

[24-Jun-2021] - EUR Radio Europe Netherlands, Offshore Music Radio and ICON BV have applied for membership. ITU Reference Tables updated

[21-Jun-2021] - HFCC Report on Shortwave International Broadcasting 2020

[10-Jun-2021] - B21 upload opened

[8-Jun-2021] - B21 upload will be opened on Thursday, 10 June

[26-Apr-2021] - Please register for B21 coordination on the B21 webpage in the Members' area

[8-Mar-2021] - A21 operational data snapshot

[24-Feb-2021] - A21 plenary minutes and A21 GoE report

[18-Feb-2021] - A21 coordinated data snapshot. Deadline for A21 Operational Data: 8 March

[25-Jan-2021] - A21 tentative data snapshot. Old converted A20/B20 data removed from main combined schedule

[21-Jan-2021] - A21 webpage in the Members' area has been updated

[8-Jan-2021] - A21 tentative data snapshot. A20/B20 data uploaded for some FMOs.

Archive of Earlier News Items

© HFCC 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved