Health Reporting Characteristics among Journalists in Nepal Utilizing a One Health Framework

Jessica S. Schwind, Stephanie A. Norman, Munshi Khaledur Rahman, Holly L. Richmond, Sameer M. Dixit, Rajesh M. Rajbhandari, Sarah K. Wagner and Dibesh Karmacharya
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Jessica S. Schwind: Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
Stephanie A. Norman: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Munshi Khaledur Rahman: Department of Geology and Geography, College of Science and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
Holly L. Richmond: Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
Sameer M. Dixit: Center for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Rajesh M. Rajbhandari: Center for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Sarah K. Wagner: Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
Dibesh Karmacharya: Center for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: Journalists play a crucial role in the dissemination of health-related information. In developing countries, such as Nepal, the media are integral in shaping the national agenda and informing the public of important health issues. With an increasing need for a collaborative effort to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment, the One Health approach was used to characterize health reporting in Nepal. A comprehensive survey was administered to health journalists regarding their public, animal, and environmental health reporting habits. Seventy-one journalists completed the survey across three study sites. Many journalists indicated a history of reporting across all three sectors but did not routinely focus on health reporting in general. The majority of journalists perceived the quality and overall coverage of health-related topics increased over the last five years. However, few journalists reported receiving specialized training in any health sector. Although the overall quality of health reporting in the Nepali media showed improvements, many journalists acknowledged a lack of understanding of common health topics and a desire to learn more skills related to accurate health reporting. One Health provides a conceptual framework for understanding and promoting health communication through mass media to benefit humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Keywords: mass media; Nepal; health reporting; One Health; journalists (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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