World Editors Forum to host digital summit to boost health reporting skills | Inquirer News

World Editors Forum to host digital summit to boost health reporting skills

/ 05:58 PM November 17, 2020

health reporting summit

The online event is designed to help newsrooms draw lessons from existing Covid-19 coverage and build competencies in better evidence-based storytelling. AFP via The Straits Times/Asia News Network

SINGAPORE — With coronavirus infections continuing to surge and vaccines still to be released, the need for accurate health reporting and evidence-based journalism around Covid-19 is becoming increasingly important.

To better prepare newsrooms for future health-related crises or large-scale science emergencies, the World Editors Forum – Wan-Ifra’s network for editors – will be hosting the Science in the Newsroom Global eSummit 2020.

Article continues after this advertisement

The online event, titled Journalism in the Age of the Pandemic, is designed to help newsrooms draw lessons from existing Covid-19 coverage and build competencies in better evidence-based storytelling.

FEATURED STORIES

To be held from Nov 23 to 24, the inaugural summit will feature speakers such as Dr Sylvie Briand, Director of the Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness department, Alyssa Zeizler, Wall Street Journal’s Research & Development Chief and Product Lead for Newsroom Tools, David Walmsley, Editor-in-Chief at The Globe and Mail, and The Straits Times’ Senior Health Correspondent Salma Khalik.

It will showcase four 90-minute sessions which will cover topics such as addressing future pandemics, countering misinformation and boosting newsroom expertise despite shrinking budgets.

Article continues after this advertisement

Award-winning journalist Shirish Kulkarni will also share his research on the building blocks for good storytelling, and the tools journalists can use to deliver memorable journalism.

Article continues after this advertisement

The summit is part of a new Science In The Newsroom program, held by Wan-Ifra and supported by Temasek Foundation, consisting of high-impact workshop training and sharing of best newsroom practices.

Article continues after this advertisement

It seeks to bridge gaps in specialist health and science reporting skills, teach journalists how to better address misinformation around complex issues and build greater public trust in newsrooms.

Its first run, held in August and September 2020, attracted close to 90 journalists, from Africa, South Asia and Asia-Pacific.

Article continues after this advertisement

Following the eSummit, the program will also produce a journalism handbook as a reference to share with newsrooms worldwide, containing key learnings, action points and resources.

ST editor Warren Fernandez, who is also editor-in-chief of Singapore Press Holdings’ English, Malay and Tamil Media Group and President of the World Editors Forum, said that newsrooms are seeing a spike in readership, as people look for reliable and authoritative writers they can trust.

“To build that trust, we need to have the expertise on the subject, and the skills and ability to communicate the complexity of the medical and scientific issues in ways that people can understand and relate to.

“This summit, as well as the training, is designed to do that,” he said.

Participation in the eSummit is free and sessions will be held at 3pm and 8pm (Singapore time) on Nov 23 and 24.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

To register please click here.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Journalism, WEF

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.