The present study is based on interviews with Romanian health journalists about their experiences of reporting on health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges imposed by the selection of sources. Nowadays, the relationship between sources and journalists is more dynamic because of technological evolution and user-generated content. In this context, the choice of sources becomes a challenge for health journalists, who are aware that there are publishers or producers who choose sources for traffic and audience – a fact that can have repercussions and that can seriously harm society. This fact is contrary to the beliefs that health journalists have. A profile of Romanian health journalists shows that they: want to help the community; they are concerned for the well-being of others, and they want to save lives (Ometa, 2021). Interviews with experienced Romanian health journalists revealed that they faced difficulties, especially at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. Back then, contradictory information was disseminated, and experts had different perspectives on the Covid-19, so it was difficult to select information. The present study investigates the relationship between journalists and their sources from several perspectives: 1. Choosing the expert - source; 2. The source-journalist relationship; 3. The techniques used by journalists in disseminating information (e.g., presenting both sides of the stories); 4. The reluctance of sources regarding the dissemination of information; 5. User-generated content – as source. Also, the interviews revealed that journalists were aware of the responsibility that they have to inform correctly. Choosing experts and sources was a challenge. The journalists accepted the fact that among the doctors there were also conspirators and that they needed to carefully select the experts.

Ometa, Oana. 2021. „Health journalism fighting the infodemic. Perspectives on the specialization of journalists” in 30 de ani de învățământ jurnalistic și de comunicare în Estul Europei, de R. Surugiu, A. Ștefănel și N. (ed.) Apostol, 313-331. București: Tritonic.