Concerned about the social, economic and political impact of Ebola coverage in the media and in policy-making, Michigan State University is taking steps to counteract misinformation and hysteria surrounding the disease, especially as it relates to damaging stereotypes of Africa and Africans.
“On its own, Ebola is a deadly and devastating disease,” said Ann Biersteker, assistant director of MSU's African Studies Center. “Unfortunately, wildly inaccurate and sensationalist coverage is compounding the matter by inciting panic and creating social stigma.”
An open letter authored by MSU’s African Studies Center — primarily addressing politicians and the media — calls for a more responsible and pragmatic response to the Ebola epidemic.
The letter warns against extending the problem of Ebola beyond the countries where it’s a problem, highlighting that distorted coverage of the epidemic can have “adverse consequences for the continent of Africa and its people as well as individuals of African descent in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.”
Directors of African Studies Centers at seven major universities joined MSU in signing the letter.
MSU’s African Studies Center is also hosting an interdisciplinary panel discussion, “Confronting Ebola Hysteria,” aimed at addressing the myriad issues surrounding the disease.
Panelists include:
• Moderator: Ann Biersteker, assistant director, African Studies Center
• John Kaneene, chair, Advisory Council, African Studies Center; University Distinguished Professor and director of the Center for Comparative Epidemiology
• Reza Nassiri, associate dean of global health; director of the Institute of International Health; professor of clinical pharmacology and lecturer in global health infectious diseases and tropical medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Daniel Havlichek, professor of medicine and microbiology, chief of the Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine
• Connie Currier, assistant professor and adviser for the Program in Public Health, “Orphaned Children”
• Linda Gordon, adjunct instructor, Program in Public Health
• Barbara Smith, associate dean for research, College of Nursing, “Use of Protective Apparel by Health Care Workers and Potential Nurse Exposure”
• John Metzler, outreach director, assistant director, African Studies Center
The panel will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. today in room 115 at the MSU International Center. The event is free and open to the public.