Three international broadcasters have come together to get information out on the coronavirus.

BBC Global News, CNN International and Euronews are all giving free airtime to public health bodies, for the promotion of messages to combat the crisis.

The trio of broadcasters say this amounts to some US$50m (€46.2m) of advertising inventory.

The three companies, which have a combined reach to over 800 million people, say this is available to major multilateral organisations and national health ministries.

The aim is to communicate information to help protect citizens and stop the spread of the virus.

Campaigns running via this scheme will be across TV and digital platforms, with the ability to target messages to reach audiences in specific regions.

This is the first time that the three broadcasters have come together for a joint initiative.

The CNN logo is seen on its bureau in Los Angeles, California | Image: Ronen Tivony/SIPA USA/PA Images

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the first body to take up the offer.

Its initial campaign will focus on seven steps to prevent the spread of the virus, and will run across all three broadcasters.

Other public health bodies are being invited to contact the broadcasters by e-mail.

Jim Egan, CEO of BBC Global News, said: "Accurate information is one of the best weapons in our collective armoury for fighting this virus.

"We are telling the global story across our editorial output, but it also feels right to do whatever we can to help health agencies get their message out to the world as widely as possible."

CEO of Euronews, Michael Peters, said: "We are proud to be launching this initiative with our long-time peers BBC Global News and CNN International: together, we want to help health authorities broadcast their vital messages more widely, and we hope many other media will follow suit."

And the president of CNN International Commercial, Rani Raad, added: "Wherever you are in the world, this situation we find ourselves in is unprecedented."

"By working with our competitors, I hope this combined effort has a positive impact and our global footprint helps reach as many people as possible."