On November 1, 2024, the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome (MLW) Journalists in Residence (JIR) Program held its third quarterly meeting for the year at the Malawi Sun Hotel. The program, which aims to build journalists’ capacity in health research reporting, brought together media professionals and researchers bridging the gap between complex scientific studies and public understanding.
The event featured presentations from MLW researchers on three ongoing studies: the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Implement Study, the M72 Tuberculosis (TB) vaccine trial, and the role of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research and care services. These presentations offered journalists a chance to delve deeper into MLW’s ongoing research and better understand its implications.
Complementing the research discussions, media consultants led practical workshops focusing on demystifying scientific concepts, fact-checking, and using technological tools for verifying stories. Frank Kapesa, one of the consultants, emphasized the journalist’s role in dispelling misinformation.
“As journalists, we have a responsibility to counter and expose various false claims circulating in public,” he said. “This can be done not only through proven scientific facts but also by presenting the science in a way people can easily understand.”
The workshops also highlighted the importance of simplifying complex research findings for audiences. Sandra Kamzingeni, a journalist from Mibawa Television, reflected on this challenge:
“The meeting was an eye-opener. As journalists, we sometimes get carried away using terms presented by researchers, making it harder for our audience to grasp the issues at hand. Moving forward, I’ll strive to use language my audience can easily understand.”
The JIR Program’s quarterly meetings serve as a platform for meaningful collaboration between journalists and researchers. By enhancing the media’s understanding of health research, these engagements aim to improve the accuracy and accessibility of health reporting in Malawi.
As the year progresses, the JIR Program continues to empower journalists with the tools and knowledge they need to communicate science effectively, ultimately fostering informed public dialogue and better health outcomes.
