Science journalism: A passion driven field
There is an ardent need of constructive science journalism to come out of the psyche of 'breaking news' and create mass awareness on science, environment, health and topics of importance for the community at large.
THE CONTEMPORARY society is being continuously exposed to news that does not impact, rather creates resentment, irritation and tension. It also aggravates our hidden weakness and exposes us to prejudice, patterns and beliefs. There is an ardent need of constructive science journalism to come out of the psyche of “breaking news” and create mass awareness on science, environment, health and topics of importance for the community at large in a linguistic manner that doesn’t incorporate complicated terminologies and sophisticated technical jargons. Opportunities exist in the print and electronic media with channels like discovery, national geographic, animal planet and doordarshan focusing on science issues. Further in print media every newspaper has a science column. Many popular science magazines are there. In the government sector, all research institutes publish their own research periodicals which need to be taken care of. In radio also opportunity exists. NGO’S provide another good avenue. Foreign embassies are also publishing their own news snippets and periodicals which require skilled professionals. Freelancers too have their own charm of disseminating science to the masses. In a nutshell it provides opportunity to passionate people who like to make the world of science not an elite arena, but for all to cherish. Science journalism has a crucial role to play in an era where the entire world is a stage. The galaxy of media platform provides excellent opportunities to communicate in the language of science. From soil properties to life style management and holistic health all these can be put to public at large. There has been an increasing concept of community radio that too has an important part to play, where science can percolate to the grassroots and a scientific way of living can be evolved. Science journalism caters to a wide range of audience and what it promises is a concept of KNOWLERIENCE which is a blend of knowledge and experience to disseminate them in the language of common man. It introduces the society to the realm of rational thinking and problem solving. It also serves as a tool to community sanitation, malnutrition and holistic health thus contributing to the overall quality improvement, in the life of people. Thus, apart from acquainting the masses with the principles of application and the fast changing world of science, it does serve as an instrument of human renaissance and creating a science based society. Courses in science journalism:1. Indian Agriculture Universities offer programmes in Agriculture Science Journalism at 21 different places.
2. Delhi University short term training module ( 2 month)
3. NCERT workshops
4. Workshops on Indian Science Journalists have been conducted by ISWA (Indian Science Writers Association).
5. Jamia Milia, Delhi in 1987 on trial basis as one year, conducted evening courses, with the assistance of National Council for Science and Technology Communication. In the year 1988 a course was started in Advanced PG Diploma in Science Journalism by Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai. Pondichery University, Pondichery in 1989 started a course for PG Diploma in Science Communication.
6. 1 year distance learning course by ISCOS Indian Science Communication Society. In a nutshell, the flood of information and dynamics of its social impact can be harmonized by creating a platform, where science can break the boundaries of lab and the so called esoteric knowledge can be made available to non scientific fraternity as well. Thus science journalism is a pursuit, for social change and a catalyst in growth with tremendous ability to package information beyond obvious and mental capacity
2. Delhi University short term training module ( 2 month)
3. NCERT workshops
4. Workshops on Indian Science Journalists have been conducted by ISWA (Indian Science Writers Association).
5. Jamia Milia, Delhi in 1987 on trial basis as one year, conducted evening courses, with the assistance of National Council for Science and Technology Communication. In the year 1988 a course was started in Advanced PG Diploma in Science Journalism by Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai. Pondichery University, Pondichery in 1989 started a course for PG Diploma in Science Communication.
6. 1 year distance learning course by ISCOS Indian Science Communication Society. In a nutshell, the flood of information and dynamics of its social impact can be harmonized by creating a platform, where science can break the boundaries of lab and the so called esoteric knowledge can be made available to non scientific fraternity as well. Thus science journalism is a pursuit, for social change and a catalyst in growth with tremendous ability to package information beyond obvious and mental capacity
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