COMSATS and ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) jointly organized first ever Seminar on “Science Communication and Journalism” in Islamabad

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The ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) and Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) joined hands for organizing one day Seminar on ‘Science Communication and Journalism’ in Islamabad- Pakistan.

The basis and importance of organizing the seminar was mainly to emphasize on the need to create knowledge-based societies and a culture of science. Training reporters and journalists is critical to render the jargon-laden scientific information into a form that non-scientists can comprehend and appreciate. Communicating wonders of science, in a manner that fulfills the information needs of a common man, is thus very important.

Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, Executive Director, COMSATS welcomed the Chief Guest Mr. Nazir Saeed, the Federal Secretary to Government of Pakistan for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage; Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, President ECOSF and other distinguished guests and participants of the seminar. He also thanked Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, President ECO Science Foundation for recognizing the need of these kinds of informative and awareness based conferences and seminar in Pakistan and for joining hands to make this first ever Seminar on “Science Communication and Journalism” in Pakistan.

The President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor Soomro shared with the audience while giving remarks during the seminar that there is need of some collaborative work in the field of Science communication and journalism as we, mostly do the things individually or in isolation but we need to join hands and must do the collaborative efforts in this field for the betterment of society. Prof. Soomro also emphasized the need of Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) in schools which is an important and necessary element to create awareness in younger generation.

 

The Chief Guest, Mr. Nazir Saeed, Federal Secretary appreciated the joint efforts of COMSATS and ECOSF for holding the seminar on the concept of science communication and journalism. He also said that the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage shall be open to suggestions for improvement and better working relationship between the government and the media.

Afterwards, the technical sessions of the seminar started and Prof. Dr. Manzoor Soomro chaired the 1st technical session on “Fundamentals of Science Journalism”. Mr. Aleem Ahmed, Editor Global Science, Pakistan gave a presentation on Writing Science for Public focusing on the passion of science, love to learn through reading, listening and watching as well as ability to explain the matter fluently, accurately and unambiguously as the basic tools. He also shared what care should taken before, during and after writing, as well as the need of clarity in what to write, how to write and for whom to write (target audience), which is the essential part of writing. Mr. M. Khalid Rahman, Editorial Consultant Express Tribune Newspaper shared his thoughts and knowledge while giving his presentation on “Effective Press Release - Making Communication between Scientists and Media – beneficial to the Public”. He emphasized the need of a link between the scientists and journalists so that every press release can be authenticated and vetted. He also shared that media should be informed of the basics of the science journalism and briefing should be given to media personnel before the handing over of the press release. He said that science news must be handled with utmost care and with suspicion to avoid false claims; countercheck with other authentic/authoritative sources and should hold the news until fully authenticated.

Two more technical sessions of the seminar were held and renowned journalists from Pakistan including Mr. Sayyed Paras Ali, CEO TechTV, Pakistan , Mr. Inam ur Rehman, In charge Department of Media & Communications Studies, International Islamic University Islamabad. Mr. Ameen Amjad Khan, Freelance Journalist and Ms. Sadia Ishtiaq Nauman, Lecturer Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi and Mr. Iqbal Jamil, Director, Institute of Communication and Media Studies, Ziauddin University, Karachi delivered the presentations covering the history and potential of Science Journalism in Pakistan. The experts / speakers shared their experiences and emphasized on the need of more coordination between scientists and journalists and contribution of newspapers towards science journalism.

It is pertinent to mention that some speakers from abroad like Mr. Edward W. Lempinen, Information officer, The World Academy of Sciences, Italy, Ms. Joanne Manaster, Faculty Lecturer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA and Ms. Shireen Gul, Copy editor/staff writer of Illinois Institute of Technology (ITT) USA also made live presentations / video conferencing through skype.

A good number of participants / audience comprising from media, educations and other walks of life was present. Their keen interest in the seminar was evident through questioning and discussion.

        

The seminar was concluded by Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, Executive Director of COMSATS and following suggestions / recommendations were agreed upon:

• Science Journalism should be the part of syllabus in Mass communication and Media Studies in public and private sector universities.
• New science communication or journalism departments in universities should be opened where rich scientific teaching and researching communicating is present. Every media outlet should have science desk as well as advertisers should encourage science related programs.
• Collaboration between existing journalism departments and scientific organizations should be enhanced.
• Public and private sector should also contribute towards the awareness of science and technology in the society.
• Different forums comprising scientists and journalists communities should be formed.
• There should be a series of seminars, conferences and workshops on science journalism which can produce tangible results.