Team VIVA! welcomes the introduction of a new daily, breaking news and opinion website focused on Australia’s health system.

Health Reporter, backed by a team of experienced journalists and health industry professionals, stemmed from the belief by its owners that Australia’s health system is important and large enough to have its own daily online news site producing original news content and opinion.

Ex News Limited journalist and long-time health industry PR executive, Michael Riley is heading the new venture, together with Jamie and Lori Silver, directors of digital media and advertising agency Pixel Light.

“Our long term goal is to break news, provide challenging and thought provoking opinion pieces and help set the health news agenda rather than follow it,” Mr Riley told the PR Report.

Mr Riley said research conducted by the Health Reporter team indicated there were a number of issues, stories and opinions that could be reported more adequately in the media than presently being done and there were important stories and issues that warranted further coverage and/or follow up.

Health Reporter will provide all content for free and Mr Riley said the response from the health industry had been exceptionally positive.

VIVA! Principal Kirsten Bruce said Health Reporter was a great example of health communicators embracing the digital age.

“In these modern times of smart phones and social media, readers – particularly Gen Y – are relying increasingly on the internet for news.

“By providing news specifically on the health industry and ‘thought-provoking opinion pieces’, Health Reporter is set to complement existing health industry titles, such as Australian Doctor, Medical Observer and Pharma in Focus,” Ms Bruce said.

“We look forward to working with the Health Reporter team to better educate their audience on important breakthroughs in the health industry.”