Journalists and Editors during the event. Photo; Courtesy
African health journalism is facing unprecedented strain as shrinking donor funding, rising non-communicable diseases, and climate-related health threats collide with reduced newsroom resources.
Yet, the newly launched Africa Health Media Trends Report 2026 by FINN Partners underscores a hopeful path: investing in local expertise and solutions-driven storytelling could rebuild trust and strengthen public health outcomes across the continent.
Delivering the keynote at the Africa Health Media Summit, Maryam Bigdeli, a health systems and governance specialist and former WHO official, highlighted the critical role media plays in public health.
“Our gathering comes at a time when the connection between public health and the media has never been more consequential,” Bigdeli said.
“Information can save lives, but misinformation can endanger them. The media is not just a participant in the public health ecosystem; it is a central driver of public health outcomes.”
She emphasized that for millions of Africans, media platforms, such as radio, television, newspapers, and digital channels, remain the first, and sometimes only, source of health information.
“A well-crafted message on a trusted radio station can reach remote villages that no health worker may visit that week. A clear graphic shared on social media can explain a prevention measure more effectively than a pamphlet ever could,” she noted.
“When people know what to do and why it matters, they are empowered to take action.”
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Bigdeli described how both traditional and digital media became lifelines for communities:
“They enabled global health actors to distribute targeted, evidence-based messages, track public conversations, and counter misinformation at scale. The ability to debunk harmful narratives saves lives.”
Yet she also cautioned that media influence carries responsibility.
“The choices journalists make about what headline to use, which expert to interview, how to frame a message can shape community norms and influence life-saving decisions,” Bigdeli said.
“What reaches the public must be accurate, culturally relevant, and actionable.”
Trust, she emphasized, is fundamental to successful public health interventions.
“Without public trust, vaccination rates fall, rumours thrive, and health interventions fail,” she warned.
“Trust is built through accuracy, transparency, consistency, and meaningful community engagement.”
Bigdeli also highlighted the media’s power to influence policy and resource allocation:
“Media not only inform individuals; it shapes political will. Investigations and sustained reporting can push health issues onto national agendas and influence budget priorities.”
Referencing the Africa Health Media Trends Report 2026, Bigdeli described health journalism as being at a pivotal moment:
“Health journalism is underfunded and overstretched, yet it remains one of the continent’s most powerful tools for accountability, trust-building, and public engagement. Africa cannot advance public health without strengthening its media ecosystem and reclaiming its health narrative.”
She concluded by stressing that the future of public health in Africa will be shaped not only in laboratories and ministries but also in newsrooms, community radio stations, digital platforms, and through the voices of African storytellers.
Insights from the Africa Health Media Trends Report 2026
Sharon Quntai, Media Relations and Communications Specialist at FINN Partners, explained that the report explores how the shifting global health landscape is affecting health journalism across Africa.
“We spoke with more than 35 journalists across 11 African countries, as well as colleagues in the UK, US, and France, where major funding decisions originate,” she said.
“They told us health stories are increasingly complex, newsroom resources are shrinking, and specialist health desks are under pressure.”
The report highlights several emerging challenges: donor uncertainty, the rise of non-communicable diseases among young people, mental health concerns, climate-linked diseases, infectious diseases, and misinformation.
Journalists also called for more data-driven reporting, greater transparency from institutions, and a stronger focus on citing local expertise.
“A clear theme was the need to center African voices. Journalists stressed the importance of featuring African experts as primary sources, given their understanding of on-the-ground realities,” Quntai noted.
“They also emphasized the value of including more female spokespeople in health reporting.”
Beyond journalists, the report engaged institutions such as PATH and End Malaria Nigeria, providing perspectives from programmatic and policy sides.
“This allowed us to compare what institutions are experiencing on the ground with what journalists are reporting. It highlighted how funding shifts, policy changes, and programmatic challenges intersect, affecting the entire health ecosystem,” she said.
Quntai emphasized that the report is not a one-off publication but the start of sustained engagement:
“We plan to convene follow-up roundtables and knowledge-sharing sessions with journalists and health stakeholders. The findings will also be shared with policymakers, funders, and institutions to encourage reflection and strengthen media partnerships. Journalists must be recognized as long-term partners in public health, not just transactional actors.”
Perspectives from Kenya: AMWIK on Health Journalism
Queenter Mbori, Executive Director at the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), noted that the report arrives at a crucial time.
“It provides timely insights into how digital media has shaped health reporting in Africa, highlighting both opportunities and challenges facing health journalists today,” Mbori said.
She observed that while media specialization is growing, particularly in health and climate reporting, challenges remain largely similar across the continent, creating opportunities for shared solutions.
Social media’s rise has democratized information sharing but also amplified misinformation.
Mbori emphasized the critical role of journalists in verifying facts, contextualizing information, and countering the so-called “infodemic.”
She highlighted the work of organizations such as Africa Check and Code for Africa as key collaborators in promoting accurate reporting.
” Researchers generate evidence-based data, while journalists translate complex scientific information into accessible content for mass audiences. By working together, we can ensure accurate, contextualized information reaches the public in a timely and relatable manner,” she said.
Funding remains a pressing challenge, with traditional media models disrupted as advertising shifts toward digital influencers.
Mbori recounted the impact of abrupt funding cuts on AMWIK’s projects, which had trained over 200 journalists and engaged communities on health accountability.
“While such disruptions are deeply challenging, they compel us to rethink sustainability. We must explore alternative funding models, strengthen local fundraising efforts, and develop business strategies that do not solely depend on donor support,” she noted.
Collaboration, she said, will be key to amplifying health stories and influencing decision-making at local, regional, and global levels.
“The African Media Health Report has arrived at the right time. It offers us an opportunity not only to reflect on the state of health reporting but also to engage in meaningful dialogue about sustainability, collaboration, and innovation,” Mbori concluded.
The Africa Health Media Trends Report 2026 marks more than a publication; it is the beginning of sustained engagement between journalists, institutions, and public health stakeholders.
Its findings underscore the need for African-led solutions, stronger collaborations, and continued investment in the continent’s media ecosystem to advance public health for all.
