Effective SCIENCE JOURNALISMEffective SCIENCE JOURNALISM

Daniel Otunge

Associate Editor.

ScienceAfrica

Daniel.otunge@gmail.com

IntroductionIntroduction

Element of Science or Proven Modern Knowledge. Turning Research Element of Science or Proven Modern Knowledge. Turning Research Findings/facts/Data into Credible Stories/news-features and with Findings/facts/Data into Credible Stories/news-features and with “Appropriate” Messages. filtering messages/info before it reaches “Appropriate” Messages. filtering messages/info before it reaches audience/target. audience/target. SEPARATE REALITY FROM EXAGGERATIONS. SEPARATE REALITY FROM EXAGGERATIONS.

Effectiveness INCLUDES Sensitivity to culture, socio-economic and even Effectiveness INCLUDES Sensitivity to culture, socio-economic and even political aspects/status.political aspects/status.

Product/Service/Process. Impact WHAT DOES IT FINALLY DO/NOT DO. Product/Service/Process. Impact WHAT DOES IT FINALLY DO/NOT DO. Advantages, real or perceived disadvantages/ Benefits /Losses.Advantages, real or perceived disadvantages/ Benefits /Losses.

Human Face/Give Reader Picture of the Scientists, Researchers, Human Face/Give Reader Picture of the Scientists, Researchers, Consumers, Beneficiaries, losers. Socio-economic even political Consumers, Beneficiaries, losers. Socio-economic even political impactimpact

SCIENCE JOURNALISMSCIENCE JOURNALISM

WHO IS YOUR READER(S)/VIEWERS/LISTENERS? CONFUSION/IGNORANCE/ WHO IS YOUR READER(S)/VIEWERS/LISTENERS? CONFUSION/IGNORANCE/ BIAS/LACK OF TECHNOLOGY FOR CULTURE. BIAS/LACK OF TECHNOLOGY FOR CULTURE.

GOOD JOURNALISM INJECTS TRUST, RESPONSIBLE, SENSITIVE USE OF GOOD JOURNALISM INJECTS TRUST, RESPONSIBLE, SENSITIVE USE OF PRIVILLEGED INFORMATION. PRIVILLEGED INFORMATION.

Know the issues have story ideas eg Know which crops are grown, farmers, agric experts, Know the issues have story ideas eg Know which crops are grown, farmers, agric experts, agric institutions, agric imports, exports, food storage/processing, etc agric institutions, agric imports, exports, food storage/processing, etc

Beware of established cultures/customs/beliefs OR behavior patterns at individual, Beware of established cultures/customs/beliefs OR behavior patterns at individual, family, village, community, national, religious levels etc. They may halt, slow or family, village, community, national, religious levels etc. They may halt, slow or facilitate diffusion of prevention and treatment.facilitate diffusion of prevention and treatment.

Be able to handle data e.g. give locally appropriate examples including implications of Be able to handle data e.g. give locally appropriate examples including implications of percentages, ratios, averages, mean, projections etc.percentages, ratios, averages, mean, projections etc.

Journalist nowadays need to filter, organize and interpret. They must know how to get Journalist nowadays need to filter, organize and interpret. They must know how to get the message across. One has to appropriately process and analyze. the message across. One has to appropriately process and analyze.

SCIENCE JOURNALISMSCIENCE JOURNALISM

No Jargons, Simple and Clear language/ Story should flow/ Use analogies.No Jargons, Simple and Clear language/ Story should flow/ Use analogies. Know where story begins/ends – its structure & its Core MessageKnow where story begins/ends – its structure & its Core Message Good intro or Seductive leadGood intro or Seductive lead Observe basics of good journalism: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How – Observe basics of good journalism: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How –

last two ideal for Analysis/backgrounders/News feature, Accurate, interesting, last two ideal for Analysis/backgrounders/News feature, Accurate, interesting, informative, proximity, update/follow up.informative, proximity, update/follow up.

Past, present/ future trendsPast, present/ future trends Compete with others -Compare/Monitor local, national, regional and global Compete with others -Compare/Monitor local, national, regional and global

coverage trends but do not imitate/ be innovative coverage trends but do not imitate/ be innovative

SOURCES OF INFORMATIONSOURCES OF INFORMATION

- In science journalism avoid In science journalism avoid balancingbalancing stories IF It makes them incredible or just for stories IF It makes them incredible or just for the sake of it. Thus avoid using incredible sources or “obvious” inaccuracies, the sake of it. Thus avoid using incredible sources or “obvious” inaccuracies, myths, lies, propaganda etc. It could cause suffering, deaths/illness/economic myths, lies, propaganda etc. It could cause suffering, deaths/illness/economic losses… losses…

- Incredible sources may also include certain researchers and scientists whose work/ Incredible sources may also include certain researchers and scientists whose work/ activities seem questionable eg not proven, or considered credible by peers. Seek activities seem questionable eg not proven, or considered credible by peers. Seek to manipulate the media/journalists to promote “unscientific” findings, products, to manipulate the media/journalists to promote “unscientific” findings, products, services, etcservices, etc

- It extends to those with “deep self interest” or bias” e.g. Farmers, Consumers, It extends to those with “deep self interest” or bias” e.g. Farmers, Consumers, Business Community, Individual Researchers, Scientists, Universities, Appropriate Business Community, Individual Researchers, Scientists, Universities, Appropriate Ministries, NGOs, Policy Makers, regional/global organizations, donors agencies, Ministries, NGOs, Policy Makers, regional/global organizations, donors agencies, credible National/International R&D institutions, Professional associations etc. credible National/International R&D institutions, Professional associations etc.

ScientistsScientists

- Should get involved (biotech)Should get involved (biotech)

- Should Learn skills (low)Should Learn skills (low)

- Should Understand how media works (deadlines)Should Understand how media works (deadlines)- Journalists should also learn and understand the fears of scientists Journalists should also learn and understand the fears of scientists

and other expertsand other experts

Thank youThank you