Montreal/Brussels – The World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) has launched a new digital platform to assist science journalists who cover the COVID-19 situation.
WFSJ COVID-19 Briefing (https://wfsj-briefing.org/) is an online hub where science journalists can find scientific information about the COVID-19 crisis and share best practices on covering this type of subject.
“The role of science journalists has never been more important than it is today,” said Milica Momčilović, President of the WFSJ and TV anchor (RTS, Serbia). “The site is entirely curated by science journalists and is intended to show only the most trustworthy information.”
Built and launched in only eight days, the site is a collaborative effort of science journalists. It includes scientific papers and analysis of science as well as many links to sources of information in a central, searchable database. It also provides information and fact-checking sites for false and fake news, as well as advice from experienced journalists.
The managing editor is Mandi Smallhorne, Vice-President of the WFSJ and president of the South African Science Journalists Association. “Our idea was to provide a kind of one-stop-shop, a place where you can find the basic info, sources, and evolving science without having to spend hours trawling the net as you race to cover this pandemic,” she said. “We’d also like to showcase good work, so we invite science journalists to share any excellent articles they come across – as well as great new science, new contacts and new sources. Contact me at covid19editor@wfsj-briefing.org.”
“Misinformation about COVID-19 is spreading at an alarming rate,” said Christophe Bourillon, Executive Director of the WFSJ. “The WFSJ COVID-19 Briefing is a tool to ease the job of science and other journalists so they can concentrate on reporting.”
Press contacts:
Christophe Bourillon, Executive Director, WFSJ, email: cbourillon@wfsj.org