SABC Apologizes for Falsely Linking Ghana to Ebola Outbreak, a Major B

SABC apologises after falsely linking Ghana to Ebola outbreak

South Africa's public broadcaster, SABC News, has issued a public apology after incorrectly reporting that Ghana had recorded thousands of Ebola infections and hundreds of deaths.

The correction came after the broadcaster aired an inaccurate news ticker stating that Ghana had registered 2,300 Ebola cases and 930 deaths, prompting an immediate rebuttal from Ghanaian health authorities. Ghana's Ministry of Health had earlier dismissed the claim as false.

During an on-air correction, SABC acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret over the misinformation. "This happened during a broadcast last night," the correction stated. "SABC News regrets the error and apologises for any distress or inconvenience caused."

The broadcaster further clarified that information provided by Ghana's Ministry of Health confirmed that the country had not recorded any case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). This follows a statement from the Ministry rejecting reports circulating on social media and attributed to SABC, which alleged that Ebola infections and deaths had reached alarming levels in Ghana.

The Ministry described the figures as fabricated and misleading, stressing that Ghana remains free of the disease and urging the public to disregard the publication. Ghana's Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has been conducting routine inspections at border entry points, laboratories, and treatment centres as part of the country's public health preparedness strategy.

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Reinforcing that position during the correction, SABC noted: "The proactive measures do not indicate an Ebola outbreak… in Ghana." The Ministry has since advised Ghanaians to rely solely on information issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service on matters relating to disease outbreaks, cautioning against the circulation of unverified reports capable of causing unnecessary public anxiety.

The incident occurred at a time when several African countries are strengthening disease surveillance and emergency preparedness in response to Ebola-related developments elsewhere on the continent, although Ghana has not recorded any confirmed case of the virus.

SABC's apology is a welcome step in correcting misinformation and avoiding unnecessary public anxiety. The incident highlights the importance of verifying information before broadcasting it to the public.

Source: JOY