Writing a journalistic article about health requires more rigour on the part of the journalist than a simple report. ASCA shares some tips to do it successfully.
1️⃣ Identify reliable sources
In health, the information given can have irreversible consequences. We must therefore ensure the reliability of its source.
The Ministry of Health or its supervised structures must be the first sources to contact. Recognized international institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health, etc. should not be neglected.
By illness, there are also specialized organizations. We just have to find out, and everything is done.
2️⃣Identify the specialists in the field that you would like to treat
To address health issues, researchers, practitioners and health professionals are the resource people to turn to. However, we must ensure that the person we are questioning is an expert in the field.
In addition to scientists, we also have to contact decision makers through established institutions. Also, getting closer to the communities.
These three entities combined (scientists, decision makers, communities) allow journalists to diversify sources of information.
For questions of institutional legitimacy, one must seek to be in contact with the head of the institution. If he is unavailable, he can appoint someone better able to speak on his behalf. This avoids problems for journalists.
3️⃣Identify the main actors at the human-animal-environment interface
This refers to the One Health approach.
To better write an article on zoonoses (diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans) for example, it is imperative to appropriate this approach.
Since human health is linked to that of animals and the environment, there is an interconnection that is favourable to the spread of zoonoses.
By appropriating One Health approach, the journalist will question actors at the human-animal-environment interface. That means to identify and discuss with specialists of human, animal and environmental health. Not to mention the communities.
Journalists must look at the contribution of everyone to the spread, prevention and management of the disease. This makes it possible to identify the risk factors, the socio-economic and environmental impact as well as the added value of multi-sectoral collaboration.
Read the example of our report on avian flu in Grand-Bassam in 2021.
4️⃣ Inviting oneself to scientific conferences
One Health Training for Journalists
It is usually during conferences that scientists verbally present their findings. They talk about what they have found in research and debate it.
During the conferences, you will discover learned societies such as academies, research centers, laboratories, etc.
You will have the opportunity to approach them for interviews or make appointments for possible interviews on your story.
5️⃣ Learn about the laws and regulations in your country
The journalist must know what the law of the country says about a given health subject.
This is an important point to observe in that it makes it possible to know the preventive measures taken by the government.
Getting knowledge about the law aims to understand how the country manages to ensure and overcome the cases of epidemics or any other cases of diseases and de facto, the notion of respect for human dignity becomes essential.
In health media coverage, we must respect human life and tell the truth. If you follow this advice, surely you will have reliable information that respects science ethics.
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