HANOI, Vietnam – September 24, 2021

Every day journalists and press agencies play a crucial role in improving knowledge and communicating to the wider public on road safety. Their reporting and information save lives on the road. AIP Foundation, in collaboration with the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) and the Transport Newspaper, is hosting a capacity-building workshop with journalists in Vietnam. The workshop is supported by the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).

31 journalists and reporters from diverse media agencies including printed newspapers, online newspapers, radio, and television channels are gathered to attend the full-day workshop. Representatives from the Hanoi Traffic Safety Committee and Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Safety Committee are also attending. Throughout the day, the workshop enhances their knowledge and communication skills on road safety, including the top five behavioral risk factors (drinking and driving, speeding, helmet use, seatbelts, and child restraints), Vision Zero, appropriate language to be used for road safety news, ways of broadcasting on these issues, as well as tools and sources of information for reporting on road safety.

The main objectives of the workshop are to share the technical report highlighting the top behavioral changes that would save the most lives, illustrate the legal impact on reducing fatality and injuries due to road traffic crashes, and showcase the important roles and activities for journalists to promote road safety in the media.

We are delighted to welcome international leading road safety expert, Dr. Judy Fleiter, GRSP Global Manager, to present on the “Key Behavioral Risk Factors: Evidence & Best Practice Legislation” at the workshop. Dr. Judy Fleiter’s presentation provides road safety strategic frameworks and insight into key behavioral risk factors, as well as the important role of media in shaping community attitudes. Dr. Judy Fleiter also joins the Q&A session to respond to all the questions from the participants and journalists. Omar Jacob, Communication Advisor at Vital Strategies, will share further information about well-established World Health Organization (WHO) and Pulitzer guidelines on media broadcasting about road safety issues during his presentation.

The workshop also provides the participants a chance to receive the latest updates and changes on road safety policies and regulations relating to 5 behavioral road safety risk factors in Vietnam. An in-depth group discussion aiming at expressing lessons learned and experience in reporting news will follow. It also contributes to improving the journalist and press agencies’ knowledge and communication skills on road safety as well as relevant policies. Moreover, the workshop strives to encourage more attention and continued reporting on road safety risk factors that will protect road users from deaths and injuries on the road.