A virtual workshop has been held to train Maldivian journalists on the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Journalists from a number of media outlets in the country took part in the online workshop on Thursday afternoon, initiated by UNICEF Maldives in collaboration with the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Health Protection Agency (HPA), WHO Maldives, Maldivian Red Crescent and Maldives Journalist Association.

Medical professionals and experts from HPA, WHO and UNICEF engaged with journalists during the workshop to provide crucial information regarding the pandemic. The workshop was supported by experts from Southeast Asia as facilitators.

Topics covered by WHO professionals during the workshop include Covid-19 stories, infodemic and myth-busting, pandemic and media as well as regional and global impacts of the virus.

WHO expressed gratitude to the journalists and media of the island nation for their commitment, continued support and collaboration during the pandemic.

The purpose of the training was to sensitize journalists on topics such as child sensitive reporting, handling misinformation as well as ethical reporting during emergencies.

Participants were provided certificates of participation upon conclusion.