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Protecting the Last Frontier: Maluku Students and Journalists Join Hands to Tackle Bird Flu Threat

By Muktita Suhartono

Ambon, May 27 2008–Believing everyone is facing the same threat in dealing with avian influenza, the people of Ambon, the capital of the Maluku Province have pledged to take rapid action: preventing the deadly virus from spreading east.

The journalists and students have rolled up their sleeves and joined forces to make sure that the deadly virus will not become an epidemic in the region, although Maluku has not yet reported bird flu in human. Last year, the province’s veterinarians found a few cases of sick poultry that was smuggled into the province.

Journalists of the Maluku Media Center (MMC) in collaboration with Indonesia's National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) and UNICEF, with support from Canada have launched a massive mass media campaign on bird flu to boost public awareness and introduce prevention messages.

The group is trying to introduce students to life saving messages by taking journalists on field trips so they can see the situation for themselves. There has also been a workshop on health journalism conducted especially for students. The program aims to produce various publications focusing on bird flu prevention efforts.

“It is important for Ambon journalists to understand more about bird flu, so they'll be able to spread information about the cause of the disease, the risk factors and the impact the disease, and also how to protect people from the disease,” said Azis Tunny, the coordinator of MMC, a journalist organization that was established to build the capacity of Maluku journalists.

“Moreover, we have an obligation to go beyond journalism—to serve the public. Therefore, we are spearheading this campaign as it is our moral responsibility to inform the public,” he added.

Ambon journalists are fully aware that they need to elevate their understanding of bird flu to ensure that they write articles that are accurate and beneficial to the public. To build their capacity, 11 Maluku journalists ventured on a field trip to five villages in Cirebon and Subang in West Java Province to learn about bird flu prevention at community level.

UNICEF Maluku field office Chief Widodo Suhartoyo said although Maluku is not on the “hot spot” list of bird flu at this time, no place is actually free from the risk.

“The threat of bird flu is real. Either directly or indirectly, Maluku will bear the consequences should H5N1 bird flu virus remain uncontrolled,” he said.

Widodo said the aim of the campaign is to urge people to think ahead and prevent the virus from spreading and leading to an even more serious situation.

“Experts agree that the possibility of a pandemic is real. If the virus mutates and people can then catch it more easily everyone will be at risk. That’s why we are all working together now with the media because the mass media is one of the most effective tools to reach the community,” he added.

As part of the campaign, the journalists organized a two-day journalism workshop for 40 senior high school students coming from 20 high schools across Ambon city.

© UNICEF Indonesia-Maluku3-08-msuhartono

"We were taught on how to outline the bird flu issue, in our schools. The mentors (the journalists) taught us how to write news reports; how to conduct interviews and also what good reporting techniques are," said one of the participants, a 2nd-year high school student, Zaenal Arifin.

Another participant, 16-year-old Caleb Ong said, "Bird flu is a poultry disease which can also infect humans. It is dangerous and can cause death. That's why we have to share the information and explain the danger of this disease to our family and friends. So they can protect themselves."

"We hope our friends will get more information about bird flu from reading the articles posted on our school bulletin boards." he added.
Widodo outlined that besides commercial media, the students’ publications would also help raise awareness outside the school

“We supported the journalism workshop for the students to enable us to pass on the information on bird flu to their schools, friends and peer groups. It is important that they know how to spread the information they have about bird flu to other people.” Widodo said.

UNICEF Indonesia goodwill ambassador Ferry Salim, praised such a program.

"I'm surprised with the quality of the wall bulletins published by the students. I hope this could be a benchmark for other provinces. Together, we have to spread information about the bird flu threat to everybody."

He welcomed the journalists’ and students’ initiatives and urged that they should maintain the program as part of an overall healthy living program.

"Kids, please always wash your hands with soap. Do not handle poultry. If you have a fever, cough, or other flu-like symptoms please go to the local clinic Puskesmas. If you see dead chickens, report it to your parents, to your teachers or to the village chiefs," Ferry stressed

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