UNICEF pursuing efforts to counter fake news related to health issues, training journalists
New Delhi, Nov 16 (BVI) Disinformation is extremely dangerous and can become catastrophic when it comes to issues of life and death, like health and physical safety.
Wrong and misleading information, spread through the word of mouth or on social media, leads to scare-mongering which hampers programmes and schemes, like immunization and vaccination, meant for the welfare of the public at large.
Much of this was witnessed after Covid pandemic struck in the year 2020.
Media has an immense role in countering fake and misleading information through evidence-based reporting.
Especially in the field of health reporting, it is extremely essential to back up stories with concrete and credible sources and data.
UNICEF, at the forefront in fighting disinformation around critical health services, has been playing its part to promote evidence-based reporting.
It, along with Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Oxford University and Thomson Reuters, is undertaking Critical Appraisal Skills (CAS) course for media institutes and working journalists and engaged with over 100 top-tier media houses and 10 media institutes.
So, far more than 5,000 working journalists and journalism students have been trained and sensitized regarding evidence-based health reporting through the CAS programme.
In 2002, when Covid pandemic struck, the need for accurate, credible and scientific communication became even more urgent.
UNICEF, in partnership with the government, leveraged the pool of trained journalists and students to address the crisis management and promote vaccine confidence during the pandemic.
The Pandemic also paved the way for UNICEF to expand the course beyond routine immunization and maternal and child care to include holistic health communication.
In June 2022, UNICEF organised a two-day CAS workshop with academicians, media professionals and health experts from across India to deliberate on expanding the scope of CAS.
As a result, three additional chapters on Covid -19 and Vaccines, Primary Healthcare, and Nutrition were introduced into the curriculum.
Subsequently, the scope of CAS was expanded beyond immunization to include Cervical Cancer and Road Safety, with plans to take up Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the coming months.
Determined to continue equipping journalists with skills and confidence to cover evolving health priorities with accuracy, empathy and accountability, UNICEF also plans to take the CAS course to more journalism and communication institutes. (BVI)
