By Clifford Akumu I akumu.clifford@gmail.com
Science journalists need to embrace collaboration in telling Africa’s science story at this time when the media is struggling with profit margins and options in the digital age.
Ms Zeynab Wandati, Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA) Board member and sustainability editor with Daily Nation, has called for greater collaboration and innovation in telling the continent’s science story to beat the present challenges.
She was speaking during a Journalists Acting for Biodiversity (JAB) training organised by MESHA, with support from JRS Biodiversity Foundation. In her presentation on how the media can sustain reporting on biodiversity, Ms Wandati urged journalists to read widely to keep abreast of what is happening around them and ensure they produce unique stories.
Noting people’s desire to understand what affects them, Ms Wandati underscored the need to put a compelling central character in each science story to boost the audience’s confidence on issues at hand. Stories that follow compelling characters, she added, help to quell fears and educate audience on complex science issues.
“We live in a global village, hence the need to collaborate in telling science stories. As journalists, let us always be alert to our surroundings, because some stories come from the most unlikely places,” the award winning journalist told the science reporters.
She urged the trainees to focus on solutions journalism in telling the biodiversity story, stressing on the need to do so from an African perspective. “Journalists need to be exposed to the concept of solutions journalism as to aid the cause of developmental changes in society and holding power to account.”
Ms Wandati observed that indigenous knowledge is at the heart of solution stories hence the need to feature such communities that are innovating and implementing their own solutions to avoid what she called copy paste solutions.
“We need to talk about the solutions. Let us move away from relying on press releases or conferences to get sources for news. More needs to be done to inspire our audience by digging deeper into analysis of statements thrown at us,” noted Ms Wandati.
The use of data and technology such as animation in telling biodiversity stories, she added, is another niche market for journalists.
The main speaker of the day, Bernard Risky Agwanda, a scientist at the National Museums of Kenya challenged journalists to uphold responsible health and biodiversity reporting, particularly during disease outbreaks. He asked journalists to be on the lookout for stories that can help conserve biodiversity. “You need to bring out the link between biodiversity and animal diseases linked to aspects such as bushmeat consumption,” he said
Under the auspices of Journalists Acting for Biodiversity (JAB) Project, MESHA sought to mobilise local media to package and disseminate biodiversity stories that can easily be understood by policy makers, the political class and local communities in English and Kiswahili, the regional unifying language. The organisation partnered with scientists on how to communicate and network with the media, and linked them to Kenyan journalists who report on biodiversity.
“Through the JAB project, we have emphasized to journalists that products from collaborative efforts seem to give more in return as they are cost-effective and strengthen journalist to journalist relationships,” said Mr Aghan Daniel, MESHA Secretary.
Under the auspices of Journalists Acting for Biodiversity (JAB) Project, MESHA sought to mobilise local media to package and disseminate biodiversity stories that can easily be understood by policy makers, the political class and local communities in English and Kiswahili, the regional unifying language. The organisation partnered with scientists on how to communicate and network with the media, and linked them to Kenyan journalists who report on biodiversity.
“Through the JAB project, we have emphasized to journalists that products from collaborative efforts seem to give more in return as they are cost-effective and strengthen journalist to journalist relationships,” said Mr Aghan Daniel, MESHA Secretary.
The STEAM Reporting Network I want partner with you,
The STEAM Reporting Network, Empowering Science Journalism in Sierra Leone
Mission
To ignite positive change in Sierra Leone’s media landscape by fostering impactful STEAM journalism (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mining, Environment, climate and Water).
Vision:
A well-informed Sierra Leonean society empowered by accurate and accessible scientific information.
About Us:
Launched in December 2023, The STEAM Reporting Network (SRN) is a young, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening science journalism in Sierra Leone. We believe that informed citizens are essential for a thriving society, and that accessible, accurate science reporting plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Our Work:
Building a Network of Experts: We leverage a network of 30 skilled science journalists across diverse media outlets to provide reliable and accessible science information across the country.
Empowering Journalists: We train and mentor young journalists, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for accurate and impactful reporting on critical environmental issues like climate change, land degradation, and sustainable agriculture.
Elevating Reporting Standards: We collaborate with journalists to enhance the quality, accuracy, and depth of science reporting across various media platforms.
Promoting Informed Decision-Making: We disseminate relevant information on scientific advancements, innovations, and research, empowering citizens to make informed choices about their health and environment.
Advocating for Change: We influence policy decisions on climate change and environmental issues through impactful reporting and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Building a Strong Community: We cultivate a vibrant community of environmental journalists, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and raising the profile of science journalism in Sierra Leone.
Challenges and Opportunities
We acknowledge the challenges of limited expert accessibility and disinformation campaigns hindering accurate science reporting. However, SRN is actively bridging these gaps by collaborating with diverse organizations, engaging with experts, and fostering a culture of critical thinking among journalists and audiences.
Join Us:
We invite journalists, scientists, policymakers, and concerned citizens to join us in our mission to empower science journalism and build a more informed and sustainable future for Sierra Leone.