Sorting Fact from Fiction: Improving Media Reporting on TB

This 6-page document is the seventh in a series of briefing documents for the media from Panos London's Relay programme, which works with Southern print and broadcast journalists to communicate the findings of academic research in an accessible way. The briefing is premised on the claim that journalists can lead the way in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) by raising awareness, dispelling fear, challenging policymakers, and providing clear, factual research information. To that end, "Sorting Fact from Fiction" explores why scientific information is vital and provides tips and ideas for media professionals seeking to develop powerful stories with a human face.

Specifically, the Relay programme seeks here to educate journalists themselves by providing basic TB information - facts, myths, contributing factors, diagnosis, treatment costs, and so on - and by offering additional learning destinations, such as organisations conducting research on TB and vulnerability, and websites including TB-related resources. "Sorting Fact from Fiction" also raises a series of questions to spark journalists' curiosity and to lead them in the direction of new stories. For example: How much do politicians and decision-makers know about TB? What are they doing to prevent it? What is the role of traditional healers? To what extent are health workers trained in managing TB treatment? What is the profile of TB in the media compared with other diseases or disasters, such as HIV and AIDS or the tsunami of December 2004?

Specific actions to pursue when writing TB stories are offered, such as:

• Review your country's research - What are the key issues around TB in your country? Does local research reflect issues raised by research in other countries? Are there debates/ conflicting results in different studies?
• Interview a researcher, and ask questions such as: "Who is funding research? Is it independent of vested interests?"
• Highlight what research still needs to be done. What questions are not being asked? What is being done to implement research findings?
• Carry out a profile of TB in your country (based on research). What is the extent of TB? Who is most vulnerable? How do people get diagnosed and treated? Who provides that treatment? What proportion of cases are undiagnosed? What stops people getting treated? What problems need solving? Are there any success stories?
• Do a survey of ordinary people's knowledge about and attitudes toward TB. What about politicians' or decision-makers' knowledge? Are there common myths or stigmas?
• Interview people with TB (while being sensitive to issues of confidentiality). Tell their stories: what is the human cost? What are the messages for the authorities? Are there any positive stories? Profile someone well-known who has overcome TB.