Effective communication during disease outbreaks: the role of data journalism in pandemic and epidemic intelligence

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of journalism, especially data journalism, in conveying accurate and understandable scientific information. Journalists helped to convert difficult scientific findings into understandable narratives, improving public understanding and trust. During the fifth session of the WHO Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Innovation Forum, data journalists Rukmini S. (India), Christian Endt (Germany), and Aghnia Adzkia (Indonesia) discussed their pandemic reporting experiences. The collaboration among media, public health agencies, and academia was critical in guaranteeing fast and accurate data transmission. During the session, they also discussed the obstacles journalists confront, such as overcoming data gaps and resolving public mistrust caused by misinformation or imprecise government messaging. In response, journalists' aim is to bridge the communication gap between scientists and the general people, ensuring that even complex and unclear scientific findings could be understood. Moving forward, the emphasis is on the ongoing collaboration between data journalists, scientists, decision-makers and the public to improve knowledge and science communication. Data journalism will continue to be important in future public health emergencies because it promotes transparency, makes data available, and encourages public engagement. Collaborative efforts, technical briefings, and training opportunities will improve data journalists' ability to effectively report scientific breakthroughs, making public health communication more responsive and impactful.