BBC Asian Network creates new Coronavirus advice videos in South Asian languages to target vaccine disinformation

BBC Asian Network is targeting disinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding the Covid-19 vaccines with a new series of videos in five different languages. The videos in Urdu, Punjabi, Sylheti, Gujarati and Tamil follow the success of the team’s Coronavirus advice videos during the first lockdown, which had more than a million views.

The new series, explained by a mix of news reporters and medical experts, will be published weekly and target Asian people who struggle with English as their first language. Topics include England’s three-tier system, advice for high-risk groups, vaccine developments, looking after your mental health, and how test and trace works.

Journalists Nalini Sivathasan and Sarika Unadkat are producing the videos as well as supplying an audio stream to 15 community radio stations in England, to ensure the messages are shared as widely as possible. Arif Ansari, BBC Asian Network’s Head of News, says: “Although we normally work in English for a UK audience, the last series of Coronavirus language advice videos had a huge response and we wanted to build on that.

“This is a confusing time for everyone, with restrictions frequently changing and accurate information being undermined by misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories. At least we can help reduce the added challenge of a language barrier and provide a crucial service to British Asians and their families during this crisis.”

BBC Asian Network is publishing the videos on the News website and across its Twitter and Facebook accounts: https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2020/bbc-asian-network-coronavirus-advice-videos

View the Coronavirus vaccine Q&A videos in five South Asian languages: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55279549

Latest

Footsteps’ Energy Saving Flashcards in the Community

Footsteps - Faiths for a Low Carbon Future is one of the seven community organisations that make up BrumEnergy. Footsteps’ role in this project is to connect BrumEnergy with Birmingham’s faith communities.
Coffee Morning - deafPLUS

Social for local deaf community.
Chaplain for Wellbeing, Listening and Guidance

Karis Neighbour Scheme, Closing date: 6 May 2024
Trustees Wanted

The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust are searching for four Trustees, including at least one Young Trustee. No previous experience required, first time Trustees welcome! Are you passionate about nature, wildlife and changing the way people think and act about their environment? Can you demonstrate a desire and track record to learn and inspire others to improve their environment and communities? If so, why not apply to sit on Trust Council as one of our Trustees?

Footsteps’ Energy Saving Flashcards in the Community

Footsteps - Faiths for a Low Carbon Future is one of the seven community organisations that make up BrumEnergy. Footsteps’ role in this project is to connect BrumEnergy with Birmingham’s faith communities.
Our second Open Conversation is launching soon

Open Conversations are open to everyone who works or volunteers in health and care in the NHS, Local Authorities and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector across Birmingham and Solihull.
Expressions of Interest sought: Compassionate Communities and Death and Dying Matters Conversations

BVSC Grants are seeking expressions of interest for a Community Engagement Partner who can work with key VCFSE partners to support their work within communities to promote Compassionate Communities as well as death and dying matters conversations. We are keen for communities to be more confident in having discussions around death and dying whilst seeking support where necessary around these themes.
Engage for Funding webinars return on 15 April with a focus on data usage, collaboration and engagement

Engage for Funding webinars return on 15 April for a new spring season. The first three sessions combined will empower participants to develop stories from data, embrace collaborative practices and to engage with audiences on social media in more meaningful ways.
Heat Pump Workshop and Study Day

BrumEnergy partners Footsteps and Birmingham Green Doors organised this workshop to help faith community members share the benefits of using heat pumps in place of gas boilers.
Why Teens podcast is a finalist at the Inspirational Youth Awards Birmingham!

The Why Teens podcast was nominated in the Project of the Year category at the Inspirational Youth Awards Birmingham 2024.
Easyfundraising - Free funding? Now that’s unexpected

Did you know your organisation can receive funding every time your volunteers, employees, or staff shop online? Their everyday shopping can transform into a continual income stream for your organisation. You can raise up to £100 over a year, just from one person doing their weekly food shop, raise up to £45 each time someone switches their household bills, and raise up to £60 when they book a holiday. Find out how this free service works.
Watch Me Play!

Watch Me Play! is a way of supporting babies and young children (aged from 0-7) and their caregivers. Developed with the needs of young children in care in mind, the approach has been found helpful in a wide range of contexts, including perinatal service, post-adoption, young parents, supervised contact, as well as for children who have emerging but unclear needs, and as a first line or waiting list intervention.
West Midlands encouraged to ‘rise up’ and shine for young people this May

Businesses and individuals across the West Midlands are being urged to ‘rise up’ in a special month-long event aimed at tackling youth unemployment across the region.
The Hottest Ticket In Town

Hotly anticipated tickets for the new Birmingham Community Lottery are now on sale, with the first weekly draw taking place on Saturday 30 March. At a cost £1 each, winners could scoop up to £25,000.