Equal participation of journalists and scientists in the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme’s Journalists in Residence (JIR) training can streamline the skills and knowledge exchange. The Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) Head of Journalism Department Dr. Jolly Maxwell Ntaba made the sentiments on Friday, 8 December 2023 during the JIR interactive meeting that took place at the Grace Bandawe Conference Centre in Blantyre.

While appreciating the progress made under the JIR in training health research reporters, Ntaba said that to improve health research reporting standards in the country, there is a need for both scientists and researchers to learn from each other’s trade. He also pointed out long-term investments in health research reporting, including, among other things, enrolling reporters in undergraduate medical programmes at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) as an approach that can turn around health research reporting in the country.

“Change is not one-way; it is a two-way thing; therefore, I appeal to the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme to ensure that the JIR training harbours both journalists and scientists to share insights, and this can also help to strengthen their relationship which is crucial in health research writing,” said Ntaba.

The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) based media specialist Frank Kapesa, emphasised the need for journalists to develop a niche in health research reporting.

JIR member and Malawi Institute of Journalism’s (MIJ) Radio Reporter Joseph Dumbula, said having researchers as part of the trainers would be key to entrenching better health research reporting skills among journalists.

“I expect to be able to write better stories concerning health issues in Malawi and for the research conducted by MLW with good quality standards. I also expect to learn how to pitch, develop, and publish better stories regarding health issues,” Dumbula said.

A radio reporter from Blantyre Synod Radio Britta Mpata said the expectation is for the JIR to engage reporters frequently in actual research projects where they can broaden and sharpen their reporting skills.

The JIR meeting at Grace Bandawe Conference Centre was the final interactive session for the year 2023.