The
Newsletter of the Pan American Health Organization - August
2006Caribbean Media Overlook Health Stories
A pilot media study commissioned by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines concluded that journalists often overlook the health angle in stories they cover and, as a consequence, miss valuable opportunities to convey important health information to readers and viewers.
The study, carried out by the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies, analyzed more than 850 stories appearing in print and electronic media in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It found that only 16 percent of stories had a health angle, although an additional 19 percent had the potential for a health focus. The study also found that stories covering HIV/AIDS issues more often than not utilized overtly negative terminology.
According to Clare Forrester, media and communication advisor in PAHO's Office of Caribbean Program Coordination in Barbados and co-investigator in the study, the methodology used in the pilot study is being replicated in five other Caribbean countries, with the results expected in the next year.The findings will be used to develop training programs for journalists and will be included in a publication about PAHO's 14-year-old health media awards competition in the Caribbean.The study and the awards are part of PAHO's ongoing effort to enhance media coverage of health and development issues.
The pilot study's lead investigator, Livingston White, of CARIMAC, said that improving health coverage will require a concerted effort not only by journalists but also by health managers and practitioners to ensure that quality health information reaches the public.
"Journalists and practitioners need to work together if we are serious about improving the quality of health information in the public domain," he said. He added that the PAHO-CARIMAC study should not be seen as an attempt to criticize journalists' work but to strengthen their role as information gatekeepers consistent with countries' development agendas.