Tips
Public Health reporting - Help your audience...
Even when reporters use clear language, they can cause confusion by assuming that their audience is well informed about public health issues. For instance, references simply to antiretrovirals or SARS or STDs or even Bird 'Flu without explaining what they are – and why they matter – could perplex some readers, listeners and viewers. Full article
Even when reporters use clear language, they can cause confusion by assuming that their audience is well informed about public health issues. For instance, references simply to antiretrovirals or SARS or STDs or even Bird 'Flu without explaining what they are – and why they matter – could perplex some readers, listeners and viewers. Full article
Public Health reporting - Translate that jargon...
An important challenge for medical health reporters is to turn scientific and technical language (jargon) into words that everyone can understand. Few newspaper readers, television viewers or radio listeners will bother to turn to the dictionary to decipher technical terms - they'll just "switch off" to the story and find something more digestible. Full article
An important challenge for medical health reporters is to turn scientific and technical language (jargon) into words that everyone can understand. Few newspaper readers, television viewers or radio listeners will bother to turn to the dictionary to decipher technical terms - they'll just "switch off" to the story and find something more digestible. Full article
Public Health reporting - Beware of 'breakthroughs and 'scare stories'...
Always exercise extreme caution when covering claims of major scientific or medical breakthroughs. Ask yourself, where is the evidence – and has it been independently assessed? How was the claim made – in a reputable scientific journal? Full article
Always exercise extreme caution when covering claims of major scientific or medical breakthroughs. Ask yourself, where is the evidence – and has it been independently assessed? How was the claim made – in a reputable scientific journal? Full article
Public Health reporting - Mavericks and contrarians...
How should we deal with mavericks? These are the self-appointed experts who say, for instance, that smoking is not a health risk, or who deny Global Warming. Full article
How should we deal with mavericks? These are the self-appointed experts who say, for instance, that smoking is not a health risk, or who deny Global Warming. Full article
Public Health reporting - Following up - the journalist as a watch-dog...
If you have a particular “beat” to cover, such as public health, one of your most vital tasks is to keep track of situations and follow-up on stories. That is the reporter’s watchdog role. It is the essence of good investigative reporting. Full article
If you have a particular “beat” to cover, such as public health, one of your most vital tasks is to keep track of situations and follow-up on stories. That is the reporter’s watchdog role. It is the essence of good investigative reporting. Full article
Public Health reporting - Making the story your own...
An editor may toss a news release onto a reporter's desk and demand a story, but often it's the reporter who comes up with the ideas. Full article
An editor may toss a news release onto a reporter's desk and demand a story, but often it's the reporter who comes up with the ideas. Full article
Public Health reporting - Developing good sources...
In medical and public health reporting, a list of reliable experts is indispensable. Reporters covering complex and often technical issues frequently need to consult a number of informed sources - some for usable quotes, others for background, tips and explanations. Full article
In medical and public health reporting, a list of reliable experts is indispensable. Reporters covering complex and often technical issues frequently need to consult a number of informed sources - some for usable quotes, others for background, tips and explanations. Full article
Public Health reporting - Preparing yourself...
In following weeks we will provide a series of TIPS and GUIDELINES for anyone covering public health issues, whether as a specialist or a general reporter. Full article
In following weeks we will provide a series of TIPS and GUIDELINES for anyone covering public health issues, whether as a specialist or a general reporter. Full article