B4FA Accra 2013 1.5 Fundamentals of Science Journalism - Alex Abutu

Fundamentals of Science Journalism

Alex Abutu

Editor,

Environment & Agric Page, Daily Trust Newspaper.

Why Science journalism?

The need to improve the

understanding of science,

medicine and technology.

How to find a story

• Sources of information and inspiration

• News conferences

• Press releases

• Peer reviewed Journals

• Research institutes, etc

What makes a good science story?

There are three components to the perfect science story. The first is the intellectual leap or excitement that a particular piece of research brings. Second, the practical implications – how will this research change our lives? The third is the human story

Is it a story?

What is the story

here

It is about society

It is the science

Is it about politics or

the economy

Sources of information

• A good science story depends to a large extend who or what the source is, so it is very important that the source of our information be credible and possibly an authority in the field.

Sources:

Scientists Organisations NGOs

Government Journals or

other publications

Who do you trust?

• Not all sources are valid

• Science and ‘balance’

• Research vs opinion

• Published work

• Where and who by?

• Peer review

Interviewing a scientist

Interviewing a scientist

• Three quick tips on how to get the best out of an interview.

• Be smart (Read about the subject)

• Prepare your questions

• Establish the rules

Interviewing a scientist

• Scientists’ reactions to journalists

• How to get the best from scientists

• Building a relationship

• How do you write the story for your reader to understand?

• Translating science-speak without dumbing down

Interviewing a lobbyist

• Relationships with lobbyists

• How to get the truth from a lobbyist

• Investigative interviewing techniques

How do scientists react to the media?

• What do scientists think of us?

• Misquote, misrepresentation, inability to understand common scientific jargon

• What can you do about that?

• Befriend them, win their trust, cross check copy, make them understand you a journalist

• Building the relationship?

How do journalists react to scientists?

• How do you typically react to scientists?

• Mr think he knows everything, Jargon man,

• What can you do about that?

• Try to understand him, read more about his work

• What can scientists do?

• Be more accessible, be willing to explain

• How can you help them achieve this

Selling it to your editor/producer

• Why should this be published?

• Impact on society, economy, health, etc

• Selling the story to your editor

• Must be well written, draw out benefits/implications of the discovery as it relate to food security, vision 202020 etc

Finally

Remember that

Science is procedural

Science can be replicated anywhere

Science is peer reviewed

Science can be verified

Science is about facts, accuracy

* NGOs/Lobbyists have an agenda

* You are not a scientist

* Science is not about opinion

Reading tips https://ijnet.org/stories/three-tips-better-news-interviews http://www.wfsj.org/course/ http://www.wfsj.org/course/lesson.htm?e=e03#L03P00 http://www.wfsj.org/course/lesson.htm?e=e06#L06P00 http://www.scidev.net/en/practical-guides/

Organisations you can freelance for: AfricaSTI.com (www.africasti.com) ScienceAfrica Science and Development network (www.scidev.net)

Email:alexyabutu@gmail.com

www.africasti.com

www.dailytrust.com

Skype: Alex.Abutu

Twitter: @lexyabutu

Thank you