On 25 June, WHO and the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) delivered the first in a series of webinars that will provide a platform for conversations between WFSJ members and WHO senior scientists. The partners are joining forces to ensure that WHO’s technical expertise is explained and made available directly to science journalists, to facilitate their work. Engaging with and listening to the science journalists of the world would help WHO adapt its communications and knowledge transfer practices to meet the challenges and needs of science journalism in times of pandemic.
Attended by more than a 100 science journalists and writers from all over the world and delivered in the six UN official languages plus Portuguese, the webinar was a deep-dive discussion about rapidly changing science, constantly shifting & emerging scientific evidence and knowledge (in the midst of a pandemic) and the difficulties this poses for science journalism. Five senior WHO scientists, joined by the WHO Director-General, connected from the WHO Executive Board room in Geneva and engaged with the community – sharing insight about evolving science and learning how WHO can help them to follow capture and cover constantly changing evidence and knowledge about COVID-19 and beyond.
Registered participants came from 37 countries and from a diverse range of media: broadcast (national/international), TV, radio, online media, national science communications associations, research portals, news agencies, mainstream national newspapers, specialized scientific magazines, blog platform (columnists and bloggers), experts from national health and/or medical authorities and from not-for-profit entities.
Visit the WFSJ website to learn more about opportunities for science journalism
Learn more about the WHO global information network for epidemics and discover upcoming WHO webinars