PM’s press secretary urges media to help counter rumours, dengue through public awareness

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly on Wednesday urged the media to help counter misinformation and raise public awareness about dengue prevention, saying the government’s efforts to ensure accountability and improve public services need to be communicated clearly to the people.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karobi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Shibly said the media acts as a bridge between the government and the people by informing the public of government activities and ensuring accountability.

He said the government considers itself accountable to the people and wants its activities to be placed before the public in a transparent manner.

“Since the government is accountable to the people, the media works as a bridge in ensuring this accountability between the government and the people,” Shibly said.

He said the government has been regularly sharing information about its activities through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the PMO and the Prime Minister’s Press Wing.

The press secretary said the government has been working to address challenges facing the country and that some initiatives have already begun producing results, while others will require more time.

He urged people to remain patient and allow the government’s plans to take effect, particularly in addressing the country’s power and gas situation.

Referring to the recent energy crisis, Shibly said the situation has now come under control and expressed hope that people will soon see further improvements.

He recalled that during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, the then government had taken measures such as changing office and banking hours and adjusting school schedules to deal with power shortages.

The current government, the press secretary said, assumed office in February amid an international environment still affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and later faced additional pressures, but is working to establish a lasting solution to the energy situation.

He also urged the media and the public to join the government’s three-month dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign, saying September to November is a particularly vulnerable period for dengue.

Shibly said dengue could not be effectively tackled only through treatment after people became infected and stressed the importance of preventing the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes by eliminating stagnant water.

“Everyone should allocate at least five minutes every day and make a regular effort, particularly every Saturday, to keep their surroundings clean and ensure that stagnant water is not allowed to accumulate,” he said.

The press secretary urged media workers, ministers and ordinary citizens alike to participate in the effort, saying mosquitoes do not distinguish between people.

“If each of us starts keeping our own homes and surroundings clean from today, I believe, InshaAllah, we will be able to protect ourselves from this deadly disease,” he said.

Shibly also called on television channels and newspapers to introduce regular segments to help people distinguish facts from rumours and misinformation.

He said there is often confusion on social media and in public discourse over what information is true or false.

The press secretary suggested that television channels could devote 10 to 15 minutes, and newspapers could regularly publish dedicated content, to identify and explain the rumours and misinformation circulating throughout the day.

“If we can do this regularly, I believe we will be able to help people move away from the environment of rumours and misinformation,” he said.

Shibly said the government’s work is not limited to political activities and debates, but also involves restoring the country’s socioeconomic and political values and improving the lives of ordinary people.

He said the government wants people to feel that they are the owners of the state and that public office is a responsibility rather than an opportunity to enjoy power.

“The government is working to make people feel that the state belongs to them and that the government is there to serve them,” the press secretary said.