Best practices of polio reporting
Training for VOA Afgan and Deewa Services stringers
Trainers from UNICEF and VOA discussed the current status of polio campaigns, as well as the successes and challenges in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, with journalists. Trainees deepened their understanding of technical aspects, such as cross-border movements, the Pak-Afghan region as an epidemiological block, how the polio virus survives in the environment, and how its DNA is identified. Journalists also sharpened their skills in pitching media projects on polio and storytelling. They developed new project ideas and shared personal experiences on staying safe, leveraging personal contacts, and accessing information that is often restricted by governments and local authorities in both countries.
The training also covered countering misinformation and disinformation, fact-checking, and avoiding fake news.