La Federación Mundial de Periodistas Científicos (World Federation of Science Journalists, WFSJ) y las asociaciones miembros de origen africano han lanzado un comunicado conjunto sobre el papel fundamental del periodismo científico en la crisis del Ébola.
“El brote del virus de la enfermedad del Ébola (EVD) en África occidental hace urgente la necesidad de cerrar la brecha de comunicación entre los científicos, los periodistas y las comunidades. Más allá de los resultados devastadores de EVD, la falta de comunicación ha aumentado claramente la aprensión entre el público, mientras crece potencialmente la confusión entre los científicos y los periodistas que informan del brote”, reza el comunicado.
Y a pesar de las campañas de los medios de comunicación y los esfuerzos de los periodistas científicos, circula aún mucha información errónea entre las comunidades africanas, sobre todo en las rurales. “La falta de información se está extendiendo y aumentando el riesgo de propagación de la enfermedad en todo el África occidental”.
El comunicado de la WFSJ destaca el papel del periodista científico y el rigor con el que debe informar, y culmina haciendo un llamado “a los gobiernos y organizaciones, tanto locales como internacionales, a reconocer el valor de los periodistas científicos y su papel fundamental en la salud pública”.
También solicitan apoyo activo y tutorías en formación periodística para crear un sólido grupo de periodistas científicos, informados y capacitados en toda África, y así haya más comunicadores competentes que puedan interpretar la información.
El comunicado está en inglés y francés en la web de la WFSJ. Compártelo a tus contactos y en redes sociales.
La Asociación Española de Comunicación Científica es socia de la WFSJ.
Ebola Outbreak and the Urgent Need for Science Journalists
The outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Western Africa highlights the urgent need to close the gap in communication between scientists, journalists and communities.
Beyond the devastating outcome of EVD, poor communication has clearly heightened apprehension among the public, while potentially seeding confusion among scientists and journalists who report the outbreak.
In most West African countries, authorities are ramping up epidemiological surveillance systems. These measures are accompanied by mass media campaigns to inform and raise awareness among the population. But to be effective, these campaigns must also counteract the information that is still rife in communities large and small, rural and urban. Unfortunately, this misinformation is spreading and increasing the risk of propagating the disease throughout West Africa.
In a world where online resources and social media are often used as proxies for immediate reporting, the need for science journalists is ever more critical. We have the depth of knowledge and range of tools required to cut through the flood of rumor and scaremongering to provide information that is truthful, trustworthy and effective.
We understand the science that underlies stories like Ebola; years of experience have trained us to contextualize, question and link information coming from healthcare practitioners and eyewitnesses, from laboratory scientists and politicians, and use it to craft a coherent, understandable story in language that is engaging and useful for the public at large.
The professional science journalist combines the research skills, understanding of scientific method, and history of science, with a nose for the truth. It is to the benefit of society as a whole to have a strong science journalism community, which is able to critique and interpret information so that it can be of use in policy making and daily life.
As leaders of associations representing science journalists across the continent, we call upon governments and organizations, both local and international, to recognize the value of science journalists and their critical role in public health. We ask that you actively support the mentorship and development of a robust, informed and trained group of science journalists throughout Africa, so that when issues like Ebola arise, there are skilled communicators able to interpret the related information for the public and policymakers alike.
Signatories
African Federation of Science Journalists
Association Congolaise des journalistes scientifiques
Association des Journalistes et Communicateurs Scientifiques du Bénin
Association des Journalistes et Communicateurs Scientifiques du Burkina Faso
Association des Journalistes Scientifiques du Niger
Cameroon Science For Life
Collectif des journalistes scientifique de Côte d’Ivoire
Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association
Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture
Nigeria Association of Science Journalists
Science Journalists and Communicators of Togo
South African Science Journalists Association
The Uganda Science Journalists Association
Zimbabwe Environment and Science Journalists Association
World Federation of Science Journalists
Twitter hashtags
#EbolaResponse
#journalismmatters
#sciencejournalism
