The pilot project of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) concluded on April 25, 2016 with the certification ceremony of the first batch of 40 students from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). The programme on public health journalism was conceptualised by UNICEF in partnership with Thomson Reuters Foundation, University of Oxford and The George Institute for Global Health and customised for Indian students by IIMC.
Speaking about the importance of media in promoting and propagating public health, louis-Georges Arsenault, UNICEF country representative said: “The media and UNICEF have always shared an intimate relationship. However, there is still a gap in this field. Our consultations with media and journalism schools across the country gave us key insights on the need to make a valuable yet simple course which enables a scientific and evidence-based approach to reporting public health issues, especially those concerning child survival.”
The 19-day pilot module was conducted over weekends and included 40 students and 40 professionals from the field. It is primarily an evidence- and research-based programme that also consisted of students making field visits to Haryana and Rajasthan. The steps involve asking the right questions, getting the best evidence, tracking the right source of information, critically appraising the evidence and contextualising news.
Deputy Commisioner, Immunisation, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Pradip Haldar said: “Although we have a very large immunisation programme and often address various categories of people, this is the first time that a course on public health journalism is being conducted.” Director-General, IIMC, KG Suresh added: “We are planning to introduce the CASP as a separate credit course at IIMC or at least, weave it into our existing programmes and courses at our regional centres as well. Sensitisation of media students and journalists is important and will enable them to write more substantively on public health issues.” He also said that his main focus since taking over the responsibilities are to consolidate the existing programmes in an effective manner and to also to focus on the regional centres of IIMC.
Explaining how they plan to take the programme forward, Caroline den Dulk, chief of communication, UNICEF, said that based on their evaluation of the pilot, they will take on board the findings. “We will also find potential partners who will then give the required training to their students. We plan to take the programme online which will help us reach out much further and wider,” she said.