The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
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Malaria and the Media - Sub-Saharan Africa

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This programme aims to promote malaria as a newsworthy topic among those working in the media at all levels and to improve policy and practice concerning the depiction of malaria in the print and broadcasting media in Western and South Eastern Africa. By creating an advocacy packet and fostering networks (especially through face-to-face gatherings), collaborators - the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) and the Commonwealth Print Union - hope to increase the quality of reporting and programming and to provide audiences with accurate, relevant, interesting, entertaining, and educational information that will help them make healthier choices with respect to malaria control.
Communication Strategies

The project uses print and broadcasting media, and electronic and face-to-face communication. This includes newspaper and magazine stories and feature articles, as well as television and radio news, magazine programmes, and other broadcast genres.


The programme has 2 components. The first is a malaria advocacy package aimed at chief executive officers and owners of media organisations and relevant government ministers in African countries. A Pan African Broadcasting and Health Conference was also held in September 2003 to establish a dialogue between senior broadcasters and health professionals and researchers.


The second part of the programme involved a 5-day training workshop for print and broadcast journalists. Held in Tanzania, the workshop was designed to engage journalists in strategic reporting on malaria as well as to foster long-term professional networks between journalists, health professionals, and researchers. Other workshops are planned for Malawi and the Gambia.


Conferences and seminars were held for senior media people and government ministers. A face-to-face training workshop was held for print and broadcast journalists. An electronic discussion list facilitates discussion on malaria issues and professional networking. A health and media website, which is in development, will provide access to resources on health for journalists and augment communication.

Development Issues

Malaria.

Key Points

The mobilisation of the media to join the fight against malaria is consistent with strategies outlined in many African nations' National Malaria Control Strategic plans, particularly Tanzania's National Malaria Medium Term Strategic Plan (TNMMTP). This plan outlines the importance of advocacy, sensitisation, and the use of information, education and communication (IEC) materials to promote and influence positive health behaviour and social change.

Partners

Gates Malaria Partnership, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, Commonwealth Print Union, African print and broadcast media agencies, and Tanzania NMCP.

Sources

Letter sent from Angela Dawson to the Communication Initiative on November 7 2003.