SJMED Project: Solutions Journalism transforms medical reporting in Kazakhstan

On November 28, 2024, a roundtable in Astana marked the conclusion of the SJMED (Solutions Journalism in Medicine) project, Kazinform News Agency learnt from the UNICEF Kazakhstan press service. 

This initiative was implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz", with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and ran from June to November 2024. The project's goal was to make journalistic materials on medical topics clear, engaging, useful, and reliable by employing the genre of solutions journalism*.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated that access to reliable information plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases and protecting individual health. Responsible, fact-based journalism helps people make informed decisions—whether it's about vaccination, adhering to preventive measures, or seeking timely medical care,” said Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan.

“UNICEF supports initiatives aimed at enhancing the capacity of media to address complex health issues. We believe that quality information saves lives, and a professional approach to creating medical content strengthens public trust and helps society prepare for new challenges,” Dr. Sarwar added.

Fifty journalists from various regions of Kazakhstan participated in a series of intensive webinars, where they learned storytelling, fact-checking, solutions journalism, and how to identify evidence of effective solutions and explain them in accessible language.

"By supporting projects like SJMED, USAID contributes to the development of quality journalism that helps convey important health information but also communicates to people and communities how they can protect themselves and remain healthy. This is key to more resilient and prepared healthcare systems," noted Acting Mission Director of USAID Central Asia Monique Mosolf.

In the second phase, 20 of the most active participants were selected to create and publish 21 unique articles on vaccination, combating existing and new viruses, and issues of uncontrolled antibiotic use. These materials have already garnered over 235,000 views. 

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