Géraldine Zamansky Health journalist Magazine de la Santé/France 5 I became a full time health journalist more than 20 years ago. By choice : I had wondered about becoming a doctor as a teen ager. So I’ve managed to mix my two vocations.

My main job is on tv. I’ve first worked for a small 100% health channel “Santé Vie” and then for the two main French health program on public channels (“Savoir Plus Santé” France 2 until 2006 , “Le Magazine de la Santé” France 5 until now). I’ve done many reports on hip/elbow/knee prosthesis’ procedures for example but each one feels like the first one : each patient, each surgeon is unique and it’s amazing to be welcomed there. Like in all the hospital departments or research labs I’ve visited. I’ve interviewed many patients, and of course doctors or scientists. Sometimes more than once, and we’ve started to create a trustful relationship – very precious in case of “news emergency”. The last three years, I’ve also created a weekly radio short story every saturday for France Info, a public 100% news channel (“C’est ma santé”). Always about health, but trying to find “good” pieces of news at the beginning of the week-end. No need to film: a simple call enabled me to reach authors of great studies “all over the world”. They answered in 24 hours from Australia, Canada, Japan, USA, Brasil… and we could share their work with hundred thousands of French people. I guess the common “key” to all this is work and honesty. I first do my best to prepare every story, to read the existing documentation : many experts can’t talk more than 15 minutes so this precious time can’t be lost with silly questions. Then, I have to make sure I understood things properly and propose immediately some “translation” that could work my audience. On tv, I must help them finding words between their specialized vocabulary and everybody’s daily life vocabulary.

After so many years in that area, I have a basic knowledge that helps a lot for all this. Sometimes, I’m also invited in other live tv programs aside experts (“28 minutes” – Arte, “L’info s’éclaire” – France Info tv, “C’est dans l’air” – France 5). It really started during Covid but goes on for public health themes like smoking or obesity, and more recently Mpox. At first, I was surprised but then I understood that my experience in “medical information translation” could also be useful there.