Makhanlal Chaturvedi University and UNICEF to roll out CAS in MP
Bhopal, 10 October, 2020: Critical Appraisal Skills (CAS) for Public Health Reporting programme will be rolled out in Madhya Pradesh as part of the joint work of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication and UNICEF. This was shared in a webinar organised as part of orientation on CAS by MCU and UNICEF.
Prof K G Suresh, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Journalism and Mass Communication, who as the then Director General of Indian Institute of Mass Communication was one of the pioneers for rolling this in India, shared his experiences of CAS and said that we in partnership with UNICEF will be happy to roll this in the State of Madhya Pradesh. He spoke about the need for evidence and its analysis for media reporting on health, which this programme will help. He further stressed on the importance of accuracy and objectivity when reporting on health, which this programme of Critical Skill Appraisal will be able to help strengthen and the efforts of health reporting in the State.
Dr Santosh Shukla, Additional Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, thanked the media for all the support on health, and in particular immunization efforts of the department. He shared how with their support, State has been able to spread right information to people and spoke on the importance of reporting based on right and correct scientific information on vaccination, and helps in reaching out with the right message to communities.
Sonia Sarkar, Communication Officer (Media), UNICEF India, said CAS initiated in year 2014- 15 in Public Health Journalism gains renewed importance as it helps fight misinformation, stigma and discrimination and stresses on using evidence in health reporting.
Dr Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh shared the progress of MP on indicators of newborn care, immunization and childhood illness, and the challenges we still need to overcome.
Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh, coordinated the meet and said that we will work with the University to help strengthen media efforts for health reporting in the State. Around 40 participants from academia, media, media institutions had joined the meet.
