More than 30 broadcasters, news anchors, programme presenters and producers across Iraq were equipped with skills and techniques needed to manage talk shows and verify information related to health issues

Baghdad, Iraq, 28 March 2022 – The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Iraq and Al-Jazeera Media Institute, concluded on 24 March in Baghdad a training workshop on medical journalism and countering misinformation.

The 5-day workshop aimed at equipping more than 30 broadcasters, news anchors, programme presenters and producers across Iraq with skills and techniques needed to manage talk shows and verify information related to health issues, particularly COVID-19 and vaccine hesitancy, and comes as part of WHO’s strategy to build a strong partnership between the media and the health sector in Iraq to ensure that Iraqi people have access to accurate information about their health.

“One of the main lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that access to the right health information can make a significant difference in the communities health-seeking behaviour and can determine the health outcomes among individuals and communities,” said Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Iraq.

“The role played by the journalists and media specialists in disseminating accurate public information is very important in saving lives and can be as important as the role of doctors, nurses and health workers,” added Dr Zouiten.

The workshop included practical and engaging training sessions focused on different health issues in Iraq, ranging from communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, mental health to pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases. The participants were equipped with references to various sources to further deepen their knowledge about different health issues.

This is the second of a series of training workshops planned by WHO to build the capacity of media people, communication specialists and social media influencers to play their part in addressing misinformation and disinformation related to public health. In December 2021, WHO conducted training for more than 80 journalists and Ministry of Health communications focal points from Iraq on information-sharing and responsible reporting on public health issues.

The workshop included practical and engaging training sessions focused on different health issues in Iraq, ranging from communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, mental health to pandemic- and epidemic-prone diseases