Community media calls for greater government support in tackling health and disease outbreaks
These were the words shared by a community radio presenter, Tshidiso Hlakotsa, at the Community Media Framework for Action in Disease Outbreaks, hosted by Unicef in partnership with the Department of Health and Jhpiego at The Capital on Park on July 28.
Reporters from across the community media sector gathered to share their experiences on the frontlines of public health reporting, where they often face under-resourcing, government neglect, and community misunderstanding, especially when dealing with sensitive issues like mental health.
Hlakotsa recounted a chilling incident from a township, in which a mentally ill elderly woman was mistakenly accused of witchcraft and killed after she became disoriented and wandered into a neighbour's home.
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'This tragedy happened because people didn't understand mental health. They didn't know what they were seeing.'
The lack of mental health education and access to reliable information has cost countless lives, particularly among youth.
'A 20-year-old man who suffered from depression after losing his parents turned to drugs and eventually took his own life, another preventable loss, had the right support systems been in place.'
Community media reporters also highlighted that, due to a lack of institutional resources such as libraries, media archives, or up-to-date contact lists, it becomes nearly impossible to provide communities with accurate and timely information.
Reporter Makoloi Nakedi said, 'We don't even have proper filing systems or access to past coverage to re-educate communities.'
He shared how mental health issues are dismissed or misunderstood in many communities, especially in black households, where children are often labelled 'lazy' or 'moody' rather than being seen as needing professional help. 'Stigma is still winning. Even within our families.'
A resounding frustration was aimed at government officials and politicians who only engage with community media during election periods.
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A reporter who asked not to be named said, 'They jump for mainstream media but ignore us locals who speak for the people. We're treated like we don't matter, even though we're the ones embedded in the very communities these utilities are supposed to serve.
'But when it's time for elections, you don't even follow them; they are the ones who come to you, they can even buy you a KFC.
'But the moment elections are over, we never see them again. It feels like an emotionally abusive relationship.'
Another major complaint was the lack of regular communication and predictable information from public institutions.
Reporters explained that last-minute press releases or event announcements often arrive too late to be of any use.
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'If it's your story and your money, you can tell us the publication time that suits you, but rather than that, we have our schedules, our priorities, and our people to serve,' said Nakedi.
In response to these concerns, Department of Health communications manager Charity Bhengu acknowledged gaps in information access and communication.
'We already have centralised platforms, such as the National Institutes for Communicable Diseases (NICD) website, that list diseases from A to Z. We also work with public entities like the Health Systems Trust to update journalists during outbreaks with facts and contact numbers,' said Bhengu.
Bhengu emphasised the need for better coordination and awareness, even suggesting a more systematic approach to help journalists access updated information consistently.
'If every newsroom had a central contact list and knew where to go online for reliable data, it would ease the burden tremendously.'
She also highlighted the department's existing WhatsApp group for media professionals and encouraged broader participation from community media outlets.
Despite the frustrations, the workshop sparked hope for future collaboration.
Reporters and officials alike agreed on the need to build sustained partnerships, create structured communication timelines, and ensure mental health campaigns and other health-related campaigns are ongoing, not just during crisis moments.
'We are not just community reporters, we are educators, first responders, and sometimes the only voice of reason people hear. But we can't do it alone. We need support, consistency, and respect,' Hlakotsa concluded.
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