MANILA — An initiative intended to improve public health reporting and tackle the interrelated issues of human, animal, and environmental health took root here yesterday, September 9, with the launch of the Media for One Health project.
The two-year initiative, spearheaded by Canal France Internationale (CFI) and supported by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French agricultural research center CIRAD, aims to train Filipino journalists to better communicate the principles of the One Health approach and address issues like zoonotic diseases, environmental degradation, and climate change.
The project, involving key media practitioners from across the Philippines, wants to empower journalists to raise public awareness, counter misinformation, and promote dialogue between health experts, government agencies, and the public. It encourages more accurate and responsible reporting on issues impacting global health and environmental sustainability.
During the launch, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel promoted the One Health approach, which acknowledges the intricate links between human, animal, and environmental health.
She spoke about the media’s role in preventing the spread of misinformation during health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and conveyed France’s commitment to promoting integrated solutions for a healthier, more sustainable future.
“Recent health crises have shown us how critical it is to have an integrated approach to managing health and environmental challenges. The media plays a vital role in ensuring that accurate information reaches the public, preventing disinformation that can lead to panic and harm,” Fontanel said.
The Media for One Health project seeks to build a coalition of journalists who can work alongside scientists, authorities, and civil society to communicate complex health issues to the public.
The project’s focus on One Health encourages cross-sector collaboration to address the underlying causes of pandemics, food shortages, and environmental degradation.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa echoed these sentiments, calling for a “whole-of-society approach” to health issues, where government policies and actions are aligned with the needs of all sectors.
He pointed out the important task of journalists in disseminating precise information regarding developing diseases and thwarting the proliferation of inaccurate or misleading reports.
“Our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that rumors and misinformation can spread faster than the disease itself. We need the media to be ambassadors of truth, explaining the One Health approach and ensuring that the public understands the importance of integrated solutions for future health threats,” Herbosa said.
Herbosa added that the project will help journalists navigate difficult scientific topics, such as zoonotic diseases like Mpox, which have re-emerged globally.
He stated the need for them to report responsibly, avoid sensationalism, and promote fact-based health information.
OIC Assistant Secretary for Environment Jacqueline Caancan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stated that environmental degradation and public health are deeply interconnected.
She outlined how the Media for One Health project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, clean water, climate action, and environmental protection.
“The health of our people, animals, and environment are all intertwined. The solutions to these challenges lie not in isolation but in cross-sector collaboration, interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, and most importantly, the power of the media to inform and inspire action,” Caancan said.
Through the Media for One Health project, journalists from major media outlets across the Philippines, including Palawan News, GMA, MindaNews, Cignal, and Sunstar, will undergo training to better understand and communicate the One Health approach.
Furthermore, the program seeks to cultivate enduring partnerships among journalists, scientists, and lawmakers to guarantee that public health reporting is based on scientific principles and advocates for sustainable, health-enhancing practices.
CFI Program Manager Brieuc Lahellec stated the value of this media connection in averting coming health emergencies.
Lahellec expressed that the primary goal of the project is not only to provide training to journalists, but also to assist them in generating materials focusing on health and environmental concerns through the One Health approach.
Likewise, he discussed the overarching objectives of the project, namely in promoting enhanced collaboration among journalists, scientists, and authorities.
It is imperative to establish a united front to proactively avert future pandemics and confront other developing health hazards.
“We need to go faster than viruses, faster than fake news, and faster than rumors. The media has a crucial role in promoting accurate information and fostering dialogue between authorities, scientists, and the public,” he said.
