He stressed that the Covid-19 epidemic demonstrated the society’s need for accurate and high-quality information to avoid deception and misinformation, hence the importance of training communications professionals and their specialization in these issues, as confirmed by the health journalist and Vice President of the Mexican Network of Science Journalists (Red MPC), Nelly. Toshi Salgirou.
He identified health issues of global concern; However, medical terminology often prevents this knowledge from reaching all sectors of the population, and thus the role of the health journalist is essential to better communicate scientific concepts and thus contribute to raising the awareness of citizens with access to knowledge.
During the “Health Journalism in Times of Epidemic” workshop, organized by the Directorate General of University Communication (DGCU) at the Autonomous University of Mexico (UAEMéx) and the Association of Journalists of the Toluca Valley (APVT), the specialist explained that although they deal with complex issues, the work of those who work in journalism is to tell stories so that difficult data is more accessible; However, he noted, it was important not to fall into a frenzy or panic the population, but to establish a specialty with evidence.
During the lecture delivered at the College of Political and Social Sciences at UAEMéx, the MPC Network member shared her experience covering health issues with over 30 students and communication professionals in the Toluca Valley.
In this regard, he noted that it is necessary to create links with more journalists, but also with educational institutions, such as UAEMéx, to start thinking from the classroom about how important it is to give space in the media to these issues. And that they be trained to conduct accurate investigations backed by scientific evidence.
The conference was attended by the Director General of University Communication in the UAE, Jenarelli Valencia Alcantara, the Director of the College of Political and Social Sciences, Laura Benhomia Gonzalez, and the President of the Toluca Valley Journalists Association, Sergio Villafuerte. Workshop.
