World Health Editors' Network (WHEN)

WHEN is being developed to be a broad coalition and informal network among specialist health editors and other communicators around the world to share specialist knowledge and accelerate country-level responses to health risks. Membership is free and voluntary, and editors are invited to engage when and where it is appropriate to contribute, share and absorb ideas and information. WHEN is meant to operate at a global level in the same way as informal associations of health writers operate at a national level. WHEN will operate in effect as a ‘network of networks’, with members radiating information and ideas to colleagues in national networks.

WHEN will also aim to support health reporting and encourage coverage of health issues in the media. By providing a forum for discussion about effective communication in health journalism, ethical issues, and how to shape and develop stories around new research, health risks, etc, WHEN hopes to nurture networking among health communicators and the media, especially between those in developed economies enjoying press freedom, and those in less developed democracies with more restricted media. By organising specialist briefings and discussions at significant international health-related conferences WHEN will aims to help give a higher profile to the importance of good communications, while at the same time developing authoritative stories and fresh contacts. WHEN is exploring the possibilities for co-ordinating stories and themes, especially across disciplines. WHEN may explore offering a syndication service, sharing material across borders as a means of broadening understanding of health issues.

WHEN may also play a role as a sounding board about the efficacy of information and health communication campaigns while helping to assist in quashing false rumours about health issues. This could include encouraging professional development and ‘quality control’ for example testing the efficacy of different approaches to ‘peer review’ and lobbying for common standards; considering the role of investigative reporting in health communications.

WHEN also aims to be a forum through which to devise or co-ordinate and develop ethical codes for health communications, to share lessons learned from mistakes. In consultation with members, when is developing a set of ethical guidelines which members will commit themselves to. First drafted in 1998 by the media ethics charity MediaWise, the following guidelines were developed in consultation with health communicators, health correspondents and the International Federation of Journalists over two years. The final version was adopted by the WHO European Health Communications Network as guidance for good practice.

• First, try to do no harm. Human rights and the public good are paramount.
• Get it right. Check your facts and your sources, even if deadlines are put at risk.
• Do not raise false hopes. Be especially careful when reporting on claims for ‘miracle cures’ or potential 'health scares'.
• Beware of vested interests. Ask yourself, ‘Who benefits most from this story?’
• Reject personal inducements. Always make it clear if material is being published as a result of sponsorship.
• Never disclose the source of information imparted in confidence.
• Respect the privacy of the sick, the disabled and their families at all times.
• Be mindful of the consequences of your story. Remember that individuals who may be sick or disabled - especially children - have lives to live long after the media have lost interest.
• Never intrude on private grief. Respect the feelings of the bereaved, especially when dealing with disasters. Close-up photography or television images of victims or their families should be avoided wherever possible.
• If in doubt, leave it out.

Members of WHEN are being invited to discuss these guidelines.

Health

WHEN was conceived because of the organisers belief in the increasingly important role of communicators in shaping health policy choices. The network also acknowledges the importance of communication as a determinant of health, and communicators as key members of the health workforce.