SUKKUR: A workshop was organized by Inter Global Human Development Society (IGHDS) in collaboration with Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) on “Scientific Reporting & Writing”   for the Journalists of the remote areas at Kojhi hall, Shah Abdul Latif Univesity (SALU) on Monday.

The workshop kicked off with a brief overview of science journalism, focusing on scientific reporting and biodiversity with its meaning and more importantly, its relevance and significance in todays' world. More than 60 media persons from electronic and print media, teachers of Mass Media Studies, Broadcasters, and Information Officers attended the first workshop, primarily to discuss related issues.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman PSF Dr Manzoor H. Soomro said that science needed a prominence in media in developing countries, because science and technology are central to development. He also recommended that journalism curricula should include information about how journalists covering scientific issues can use social media as a source of information and as a way of distributing stories.

PSF Chairman said that the media played an important role in the progress of countries and as such mass media in Pakistan, among other objectives, should also work for the promotion of science activities and scientists dedicatedly. He termed the holding of the science-reporting and writting workshop an important and timely development and said that in the days to come role of both the scientists and media was going to increase remarkably. Scientists should work on topics and subject related to the needs of the market and the nation, he added.

Chief Exicutive Officer IGHDS, Dr Shakil Ahmed Jamil said that the workshop was need to create a ground for the promotion of science education, science culture among the Media men and students.

He said that IGHDs is a registered not-for-profit organization working for journalists' capacity building and strengthening freedom of information since 2007 adding that IGHGS's main objective is to promote free media through fair media laws and reforms, to make research, advocacy and monitoring and to strengthen media rights bodies.

The Center reached out to other country institutions in the field, including media outlets, educational institutions, research centers, government agencies and regulators and legislators, he added.

Dr Raza Bhatti, the Director of Center for Biodiversity and Conservation SALU said that journalists direly need training in order to effectively report on science, biodiversity and climate change.

Chairman Department of Mass Media Studies SALU, Professor Dr Taj Lashari suggested that priority be given to train professors on how to introduce science journalism into university curricula, both in science and in journalism.

“We know what teachers want to teach and what students want to learn,” he said and added that reporting is an art to report the true picture and scenario of any event or occurrence.

He said that now we need the detailed examples, assignments, readings, etc., designed for remote areas.

Among others, President Press Club Khairpur Khan Muhammad, Syeda Rehana Batool, Javed Iqbal, Zaheer Khan Lodhi, Zameer Lashari and others also spoke on the occasion.

The final session was dedicated to practical skills.

The recommendations at workshop said that the journalists should file only authentic news based on information given in writing by the researchers to avoid confusion.

The teachers should create interest and awareness among children at secondary level regarding the importance of science for socio-economic development.

It was further said that news organizations should appoint and assign dedicated specialized journalists for scientific and technological reporting. Referring to the shortcomings on the part of scientists, the workshop recommended that scientists should write scientific features in simple language, while Journalists specially belonging to remote areas should be trained in the topics like report writing and communication skills.

Later certificates were also distributed amongst more than 60 participants.