Journalists from the Ghana News Agency, have been trained in sensitive health reporting at a four-day training at Sogakope in the Volta Region.
The journalists, made up of editors, reporters, and stringers, were urged to uphold a high degree of responsibility, empathy, and ethical consideration when reporting on sensitive health issues.
The workshop was organised by the Institute for Digital Marketing and Communication Ghana (IDMC), through the post-Covid-19 Skills Development and Productivity Enhancement Project (PSDPEP), an African Development Bank (AfDB), and the and the Social Investment Fund (SIF).
Dr. Nii Nortey Hanson-Nortey, a public health expert, taking participants through the “Health Communication and Infectious Diseases’ module, noted that sensitive health issues often involved personal or community vulnerabilities, and the way they were reported could have significant impacts on individuals and society.
He stated that key principles of reporting on sensitive health issues include understanding the sensitivity of the issue and explaining that sensitive health issues could include mental health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, terminal illness, addiction, gender-based violence, and stigma-related conditions.
He added that recognising the impact makes a journalist understand how reporting on such issues could affect individuals, families, and communities, particularly in terms of stigma, discrimination, or emotional distress.
“Journalists must avoid language that could be seen as judgmental, stigmatising, or insensitive. For example, use “person living with HIV” instead of “HIV sufferer.”
He added that they must avoid stereotypes by being careful not to reinforce or perpetuate biases, particularly when reporting on marginalised groups or communities, stressing the importance of balancing accuracy with sensitivity by ensuring that the language used does not inadvertently harm or stigmatise the subject or audience.
Dr. Hanson-Nortey also stated that ethical considerations should always be done by a journalist by obtaining informed consent from interviewees, particularly when discussing personal or private health matters, noting that interviewees must understand how their information will be used and have the option to remain anonymous, stressing that journalists must protect the identity of individuals, especially when dealing with stigmatised conditions or vulnerable populations.
This, he said, may involve using pseudonyms or altering identifying details, avoiding sensationalism, and being mindful of the potential consequences of the report.
He urged the media to contextualise the issue by situating sensitive health issues within a broader context to help the audience understand the underlying causes and implications.
“Use expert commentary by including input from healthcare professionals, researchers, or advocates to provide balanced and informed perspectives on the issue.”
He also encouraged the media to report on outcomes, if possible, particularly if it has led to positive changes, adding that they could raise awareness or provide new insights into the issue, emphasising that a journalist must regularly reflect on the reporting practices and seek feedback from peers, mentors, or those affected by the stories to improve the approach to sensitive topics.
GNA
LS/KOA/AD
22 Sept 2024
