Capacity Building of Science and Health Journalists on COVID-19 in Malawi

The project falls within Strand Two of the COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund. The strand focuses on Science Engagement: Science and Health Journalists and Communicators, and seeks to support efforts to produce and disseminate coordinated science communication outputs that will allow readers access factual information to inform their actions and challenge misinformation. Science and Health Journalists are media practitioners who report on science and health issues. At the time of preparing this proposal, there were 529 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 8003 tests conducted and 5 deaths in Malawi (Ministry of Health, 2020). This proposal provides the framework for undertaking a capacity building project of science and health journalists on COVID-19 reporting in Malawi. The aim of the project is to develop the capacity of science and health journalists in Malawi on COVID-19 reporting and communication. To achieve the aim the design and implementation of the project was formulated based on the multi-staged approach that will combine research, development of COVID-19 communication guidelines, and training of science and health journalists in COVID-19 communication. This approach will ensure that activities of this project are evidence-based. Expected Outputs The project expected Outputs shall include the following:  Inception Report  Research/Field work Report  Communication Training Guidelines and Messages  Impact Evaluation Report  Final Project Report  Dissemination - Conferences and Journal Articles