We pondered about the ways in which we can deliver verified, scientific health information to maximum number of people. How can we talk to each other, without being stuck in our echo chambers?

When the COVID-19 pandemic started to spread from China to different parts of the world, I was on a holiday in India. Coincidentally, I connected with the DataLEADS team, abandoned my holiday plans, and joined First Check to do some in-depth reporting on the evolving situation in China. 

Beyond being a public health problem, COVID-19 soon revealed its political dimensions. It became more than just a health concern; it emerged as one of the biggest geopolitical subjects of our time. 

Actually, that’s true of all public health stories. There’s more than one dimension to these pressing issues. As a Chinese journalist (now based in Germany), I had the opportunity to collaborate with an American journalist friend based in Kenya, sparking the idea of a cross-border project. We decided to work on a public health issue that was relevant to Europe, Kenya, and China. Malaria emerged as a common denominator across these regions, prompting us to dig deeper into its dynamics. 

Our investigation revealed the multifaceted involvement of China, European pharmaceutical companies, and international organisations in combatting malaria. Despite scientific progress, the disease continues to pose a significant challenge in Africa. We found that Kenya serves as a conduit for numerous medicines, while many of them, particularly generic drugs, originate from India and China. However, it’s the European companies that were predominantly reaping the financial benefits. 

Coming back to the pandemic, health misinformation was a big challenge that we had to encounter. Particularly, the deluge of unverified information on social media platforms. As journalists, we pondered about the ways in which we can deliver verified, scientific health information to maximum number of people. How can we talk to each other, without being stuck in our echo chambers? 

Based on my experience, I believe that by combining the reach of social media with the power of traditional media, we can create maximum impact. Collaboration can work wonders. In terms of addressing global health challenges, we have seen journalists from diverse backgrounds come together and do incredible work.

Qian Sun is an independent journalist from China, now based in Germany, and a member of First Check team of experts.