Journalists can
have a significant influence in the functioning of health systems. In the African
context of policy making for health, journalists contribute to setting the
agenda for the press, the public, and policymakers through highlighting important
issues that, for example, need improvement or are in other ways newsworthy. Through
shaping public opinion, which in turn exerts pressure on policymakers to
respond, media play a big role in holding policymakers accountable for the
quality of the health system.

The mass media are
generally not always interested nor trained to report on news relating to
health research. Reporting on health-related issues in the media is often
considered ‘shallow and reactive, dominated by announcements of new drugs or
official health promotion campaigns, and lacking in investigative depth’. The
media in sub-Saharan Africa often lack interest, skills and capacity to access and
report on research findings on health, including sexual en reproductive health
and rights. At the same time, health research often lacks presentation in a way
that captures media interest, and health researchers tend to shy away from
media fearing misrepresentation of their work.

Africa Media
Network for Health

In order to strengthen
the important role of the media, Amref Health Africa launched the Africa Media
Network for Health (AMNH) under the Health Systems Advocacy (HSA) Partnership
(also consisting of ACHEST, HAI, Wemos and financed by the Dutch ministry of
Foreign Affairs. AMNH is a network of highly acclaimed journalists and editors
from Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda. They frequently report on issues
relating to health systems strengthening in their respective countries in
regional news outlets and at the regional level. The network aims to increase citizens’
understanding of health issues in Africa by improving the quality and frequency
of media reporting on health issues.

More than 300
journalists

The network wants
to increase the coverage of health issues in the media in Africa, enhance
interest of media in health matters and enhance the capacity of African
journalists to report on health through workshops, mentorship, networking,
information sharing, and institutional development. Since its launch in 2016,
more than 300 journalists have joined the platform and news outlets have
published more than 250 written articles and other items.

Two podcasts

Recently, Amref
hosted two podcast discussions with journalists from Kenya and Malawi who are
all members of the AMNH. In these podcasts, the journalists present their
latest publications and explain the local impact of their stories. They also
reflect on the added value of working in a media network and the changes they
see in relation to the increased prioritization of health issues in media
houses. Doreen Sonani from Malawi:“The network has been so helpful to my
work, because it functions as a platform where we as journalists within Malawi
and other countries involved can share information, experiences, best practices
and we strengthen our network.”

Elizabeth Merab and Nancy Onyancha reflect in first podcast on their work.

In the second podcast, you can listen to Doreen Sonani and Winnie Botha. Enjoy!