COVID-19: Strategic Media Engagement for Public Understanding of Scientific Research, Infectious/Non-Infectious Diseases and Development

In Africa, there are fewer media content of communications that focus on key scientific and research discoveries especially in epidemic emergencies. The avalanche of fake news propagated in social media contents since the outbreak of covid-19 remains a challenge. This project is aimed at improving public understanding of the scientific basis of health, medical science and other scientific researches on covid-19 in Africa It would aim at educating key journalists but built around strategic media institutional engagement and partnership with leading research institutions for eventual public understanding of science and public health issues as occasioned by emerging infectious diseases. This project will be built around a triad of strategic partners with audience composition including researchers/scientists, media institutions/journalists and civil society/media development organisations. The strategic approach will be built around a pan African platform in science journalism -- The Africa Science, Technology and Innovations (AFRICASTI) News - www.africasti.com.ng will be the primary platform with syndication across media organisations across the continent. Information generation will be conducted using rapid survey and key informant interview of frontline actors in COVID-19 response. Results from these interviews will be utilized in the modification of existing communication approaches for public education through several media platforms (radio, TV, social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter handle). Activities to be carried out: 1. Survey and key informant interview of frontline actors in COVID-19 response 2. Online Science Series (Zoom Series 3. Story Idea Development and syndication. 4. Science News Syndication (with National News Agencies and other leading media platforms) 5. Podcasts on Covid-19 and initiation of Science sound bites for Digital/Social media for platforms. 6. Africa Science/Research Forum; 7. Online training boot-camps for journalists on topical issues in Science Journalism for journalists and social media influencers; and 8. Online media skills training for scientists. 9. Cross-border story development 10. Social media Programming for trained Influencers Expected Outputs  Developed media content focusing on the socio-cultural experiences of the African public, for example, investigations covering stigma, discrimination, inequality and access.  Enhanced capacity of journalists in science journalism.  Increased media content that focuses on key scientific and research discoveries  Substantial Story Idea Development and syndication across various online platforms.  Increased journalists' knowledge on Science Journalism response to emerging infectious diseases.