Liberian journalist, Moses Kollie Garzeawu, who has previously worked as a correspondent for VOA, and current BBC correspondent has embarked on a significant endeavor by joining other distinguished African journalists in Abuja, Nigeria, for the African Disease Reporting Fellowship training program.
As Liberia’s BBC Correspondent, Garzeawu stands out among the fourteen selected elite members converging in Abuja for this prestigious training opportunity. Alongside peers from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and Nigeria, Moses is part of the African Disease Reporting Fellowship, a program aimed at enhancing journalistic expertise in health reporting across the continent.
This comprehensive six-week training program is tailored to enhance the reportorial skills of journalists covering health-related topics in Africa. With a primary focus on tackling biases often associated with disease reporting in Africa, the fellowship aims to provide journalists with the tools and knowledge necessary to report on health issues from well-informed perspectives.
Over the next few weeks, Moses and his counterparts will immerse themselves in intensive training sessions led by experienced scientists and media trainers. The curriculum is meticulously designed to equip journalists with the necessary skills to combat misinformation, disinformation, and fake news in health reporting, particularly during health and humanitarian crises.
Organized by the Africa Diseases Prevention and Research Development Initiative (ADRAP), the African Disease Reporting Fellowship seeks to bridge the knowledge gap in health reporting by educating participants on the latest tools and techniques, including understanding the social aspects of diseases, scientific developments, management strategies, policies, research focus, and more, all from an African perspective.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Joseph Enegela, Executive Director of ADRAP, encouraged journalists to become drivers of change in storytelling around African health issues. Dr. Enegela emphasized the importance of breaking stereotypes in how stories are told about Africa and Africans, highlighting the significant impact of unreported health crises, such as the loss of lives during flu seasons in the US.
This fellowship not only aims to empower early to mid-career journalists but also strives to dismantle collaboration barriers between journalists and scientists. By facilitating meaningful interactions and providing exposure to cutting-edge reporting techniques, the program seeks to elevate the standard of health journalism across the continent.
Through initiatives like the African Disease Reporting Fellowship, journalists like Moses Kollie Garzeawu are poised to play a crucial role in disseminating accurate and reliable information, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes for communities across Africa.
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