The grassroots organizations across Rio de Janeiro have also created the hashtags #COVID19NasFavelas (COVID-19 in the favelas) and #CoronaNasPeriferias (COVID-19 in the outskirts) on Twitter to share experiences, opinions and news from these areas, as well as to spark discussions about the urgent need for prevention, food, water and health products for favela residents.
The media outlets based in the favelas are working full force to produce content and stories on prevention and impact of COVID-19 in the favelas. These include breaking news, informational articles, photos and videos, produced by residents who are skilled in journalism and attuned to the local experience.
An example is the news agency Favela em Pauta, which has a dedicated page on its website for news about the novel coronavirus. Jornal Voz das Comunidades has also featured the voices of residents on the pandemic, as its non-governmental organization leads an intense mobilization to collect donations of food and personal hygiene products.
Communication initiatives in the favela do not happen alone. A network of about 70 grassroots communicators across Brazil are working together with, and on behalf of, favelas. Named #CoronaNasPeriferias, the network signed a letter laying out how the group is coordinating efforts to inform favela residents.
One of the network's members is Renato Silva, a journalist from Portal Favela em Pauta. He said he believes that favela initiatives practice the necessary empathy and quick response, despite the difficulties.
"It is important that the coalition unites information and communication initiatives that include favelas, outskirts regions, ghettos, quilombos and hinterlands," said Silva. “It strengthens our individual agency, creates the feeling that we are not alone — even in isolation — and it helps us to fight fake news.”
While grassroots organizations do their part with the few resources they have, Brazil's Ministry of Health is still studying ways to act effectively in these areas, such as establishing a specific program for addressing coronavirus concerns in favelas, at the request of the Federal Attorney for Citizen Rights.
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This article was originally published by IJNet. It was republished with permission.
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