Science journalism and communication in india: challenges and way forward

Science Journalism and Communication is all about ‘rational thinking and approach’. It can challenge ‘blind faiths’, cure ‘mass hysteria’ & ‘false public beliefs’ through rational reporting. Science communicators bridge the communication gap between the complex scientific world and the common masses. Today science journalism is increasingly going online, where the possibilities of offering rich content, including info-graphics are virtually limitless. Besides, there is investigative science journalism, which is becoming very popular across the globe. However, the right kind of communication is a common problem. The responses, some of them from scientists, highlight the need to have more trained science communicators not only in the print, electronic and social media, but also in the area of documentaries and film making.

If we are communicating anything related with science to Aam Aadmi (Common Man), then What, Why, Where, When, Who and How of that ‘particular’ theme needs to be explained to him in a ‘lucid’ and ‘lay-man language’. As till the time we don’t do this, we won’t be able to achieve the real goal of ‘Science Communication’. All communication and journalism training institutions should have science communication as one of the core/compulsory subjects, not as an optional subject. Formal training would help; enrich skills of writers/reporters to write better scientific reports, articles and scripts for newspapers, magazines, short films/documentaries respectively. The quality of the press releases and background material that come from research institutions/laboratories has much to do with enabling or not enabling accessibility to the general reader. What is well said in press release will be well understood; and what is well understood can be well covered and conveyed journalistically. Given the often technically demanding nature of the task, interviews with scientists who can well explain their work to people outside their field, can become favourite form of science journalism.