Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of journalism, especially data journalism, in conveying accurate and understandable scientific information. Journalists helped to convert difficult scientific findings into understandable narratives, improving public understanding and trust....
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Proceedings |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12919-025-00319-3 |
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| author | Barbara Tornimbene Zoila Beatriz Leiva Rioja Aghnia Adzkia Christian Endt Rukmini S. Oliver Morgan |
| author_facet | Barbara Tornimbene Zoila Beatriz Leiva Rioja Aghnia Adzkia Christian Endt Rukmini S. Oliver Morgan |
| author_sort | Barbara Tornimbene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of journalism, especially data journalism, in conveying accurate and understandable scientific information. Journalists helped to convert difficult scientific findings into understandable narratives, improving public understanding and trust. During the fifth session of the WHO Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Innovation Forum, data journalists Rukmini S. (India), Christian Endt (Germany), and Aghnia Adzkia (Indonesia) discussed their pandemic reporting experiences. The collaboration among media, public health agencies, and academia was critical in guaranteeing fast and accurate data transmission. During the session, they also discussed the obstacles journalists confront, such as overcoming data gaps and resolving public mistrust caused by misinformation or imprecise government messaging. In response, journalists' aim is to bridge the communication gap between scientists and the general people, ensuring that even complex and unclear scientific findings could be understood. Moving forward, the emphasis is on the ongoing collaboration between data journalists, scientists, decision-makers and the public to improve knowledge and science communication. Data journalism will continue to be important in future public health emergencies because it promotes transparency, makes data available, and encourages public engagement. Collaborative efforts, technical briefings, and training opportunities will improve data journalists' ability to effectively report scientific breakthroughs, making public health communication more responsive and impactful. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4e58673bd394fd4bbd187dc6dbb8475 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1753-6561 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4e58673bd394fd4bbd187dc6dbb84752025-08-20T02:59:23ZengBMCBMC Proceedings1753-65612025-03-0119S41510.1186/s12919-025-00319-3Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligenceBarbara Tornimbene0Zoila Beatriz Leiva Rioja1Aghnia Adzkia2Christian Endt3Rukmini S.4Oliver Morgan5World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic IntelligenceCPC AnalyticsBBC World ServiceDie ZeitIndependent Data JournalistWorld Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic IntelligenceAbstract The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of journalism, especially data journalism, in conveying accurate and understandable scientific information. Journalists helped to convert difficult scientific findings into understandable narratives, improving public understanding and trust. During the fifth session of the WHO Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Innovation Forum, data journalists Rukmini S. (India), Christian Endt (Germany), and Aghnia Adzkia (Indonesia) discussed their pandemic reporting experiences. The collaboration among media, public health agencies, and academia was critical in guaranteeing fast and accurate data transmission. During the session, they also discussed the obstacles journalists confront, such as overcoming data gaps and resolving public mistrust caused by misinformation or imprecise government messaging. In response, journalists' aim is to bridge the communication gap between scientists and the general people, ensuring that even complex and unclear scientific findings could be understood. Moving forward, the emphasis is on the ongoing collaboration between data journalists, scientists, decision-makers and the public to improve knowledge and science communication. Data journalism will continue to be important in future public health emergencies because it promotes transparency, makes data available, and encourages public engagement. Collaborative efforts, technical briefings, and training opportunities will improve data journalists' ability to effectively report scientific breakthroughs, making public health communication more responsive and impactful.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12919-025-00319-3Data journalismScience communicationPandemic intelligencePublic health collaborationMisinformation management |
| spellingShingle | Barbara Tornimbene Zoila Beatriz Leiva Rioja Aghnia Adzkia Christian Endt Rukmini S. Oliver Morgan Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence BMC Proceedings Data journalism Science communication Pandemic intelligence Public health collaboration Misinformation management |
| title | Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence |
| title_full | Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence |
| title_fullStr | Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence |
| title_short | Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence |
| title_sort | effective communication during disease outbreaks the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence |
| topic | Data journalism Science communication Pandemic intelligence Public health collaboration Misinformation management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12919-025-00319-3 |
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