Evidence-based Solutions Journalism for Health - 2020

This course is a comprehensive introduction to concepts and tools for Evidence-Based Journalism for Health. It aims to develop and enhance the capacity of journalists and health communicators in producing and reporting accurate and timely information, in a language and format that people understand, with a solutions-based approach to journalism, to enable populations to make health-promoting decisions and to adopt positive behaviors that contribute to achieving public health goals, while combating misinformation, fear, and stigma.

Purpose of the course:

The course aims to offer tools for communicators and journalists, particularly those covering or interested in health and science, to communicate evidence-based, clear, accurate, and timely content through news, human interest stories, editorials, interviews, reports, press releases, chronicles, and other formats, in multiple media while keeping a sense of ethics and values on their work.

Course Objectives:

1. Promote solutions-based reporting and health communication regarding community health issues.

2. Facilitate the achievement of public health goals through the use of tools that identify and share information that is timely, comprehensible, and effective in improving health behaviors.

3. Understand how inclusive and participatory Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Plans can protect and safeguard populations in health and identify gender and inclusion issues in RCCE.

4. Explore the role of media and communications in addressing misinformation, fear, and stigma as it relates to health issues.

5. Increase journalists’ and health communicators’ understanding of and reporting about specific health topics, including mental health and psychosocial support considerations, violence prevention, and climate change and health.

6. Discuss and provide tips and recommendations for self-care while reporting or communicating.

Course structure:

There are 4 modules to complete, which include:

1. Module 1: Introduction to Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Solutions Journalism;

2. Module 2: Countering Misinformation and Stigma through the Media;

3. Module 3: Reporting Specific Health Topics;

4. Module 4: Self-care for journalists;

Modality:

Asynchronous LMS utilized for distance learning could be used synchronously.

Audience

Learners are media professionals in the Caribbean working in print, broadcast, and online media, communicators in the Ministries of Health and the Government Information Services of Caribbean countries, communicators in civil society organizations, information entrepreneurs, and any other professional or trainee engaged in communication for health. Secondary audiences include communication officers, youth leaders, science and health communicators, and similar figures.

Duration:

The completion time for this course is estimated at 20 hours, 10.6 hours of didactics and curated resources, and 9.4 hours of work participating in activities and quizzes to assist the student in the synthesis of the materials.

This course is only available to selected participants.