"Good communication saves lives"

About the author

António Guterres

António Guterres is the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, who took office on 1st January 2017.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads,

another virus is infecting our lives -- misinformation.

Millions of people are being exposed to dangerous claims that COVID-19 doesn’t exist, or that a miracle cure has been found, or that the virus emerged as a result of a plot to destroy humanity or make profits.

A tsunami of hate, xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-mongering has been unleashed.

This ‘infodemic’ is proliferating and potentially deadly.

We cannot cede our virtual spaces to those who traffic in lies, fear and hate.

Misinformation spreads online, in messaging apps and person to person. Its creators use savvy production and distribution methods.

To counter it, scientists and institutions like the United Nations need to reach people with accurate information they can trust.

That is why we are launching ‘Verified’ - an initiative to share compelling, clear content, fact-based advice and stories highlighting the best of humanity.

With Verified, we can fight:

Lies and conspiracies with science and life-saving health advice;

Hate speech with solidarity;

Despair with hope;

And solutions for how to recover better.

Good communication saves lives.

Melissa Fleming

S7-Episode 2: Bringing Health to the World

“You see, we're not doing this work to make ourselves feel better. That sort of conventional notion of what a do-gooder is. We're doing this work because we are totally convinced that it's not necessary in today's wealthy world for so many people to be experiencing discomfort, for so many people to be experiencing hardship, for so many people to have their lives and their livelihoods imperiled.”

Dr. David Nabarro has dedicated his life to global health. After a long career that’s taken him from the horrors of war torn Iraq, to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he is still spurred to action by the tremendous inequalities in global access to medical care.

“The thing that keeps me awake most at night is the rampant inequities in our world…We see an awful lot of needless suffering.”

:: David Nabarro interviewed by Melissa Fleming

Ballet Manguinhos resumes performing after a COVID-19 hiatus with “Woman: Power and Resistance”. Photo courtesy Ana Silva/Ballet Manguinhos

UNIC Rio

Brazilian ballet pirouettes during pandemic

Ballet Manguinhos, named for its favela in Rio de Janeiro, returns to the stage after a long absence during the COVID-19 pandemic. It counts 250 children and teenagers from the favela as its performers. The ballet group provides social support in a community where poverty, hunger and teen pregnancy are constant issues.

Nazira Inoyatova is a radio host and the creative/programme director at Avtoradio FM 102.0 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photo courtesy Azamat Abbasov

UNO Tashkent

Radio journalist gives the facts on COVID-19 in Uzbekistan

The pandemic has put many people to the test, and journalists are no exception. Coronavirus has waged war not only against people's lives and well-being but has also spawned countless hoaxes and scientific falsehoods.

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