Journalists Exchange Programme: Reporting on Agricultural Biotechnology
Members of the media are one of the key stakeholders in the biotechnology arena because they are an influential source of information on science and technology to lay audiences. MABIC will be funding two Malaysian journalists to attend this workshop.
12 -13 March 2007
Karachi, Pakistan
Members of the media are one of the key stakeholders in the biotechnology arena because they are an influential source of information on science and technology to lay audiences. News and images on the media dictates public perception on biotechnology. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that members of the media, especially those who have opportunities to write about biotechnology, are well informed about the subject.
MABIC organizes at least two media workshops every year and this year for the first time, MABIC has initiated a media workshop in Pakistan which will be organized by its sister organization, Pakistan Biotechnology Information Centre (PABIC).
As agriculture is the key economic activity in most developing countries and this field has evolved tremendously in the recent years through biotechnology, the workshop will focus on agricultural biotechnology. Research in agricultural biotechnology, in particular, work on genetic modification (GM) has been greatly emphasized in many developing countries. This is mainly due to the fact that the need for biotech crops has been realized and its potential benefits accepted. Although the level of acceptance of biotech crops is on the rise, these crops are still being the target of constant criticism and skepticism.
The workshop is intended as a hands-on, practical experience for journalists, with a strong emphasis on exercises and activities. Journalists will be introduced to the topic of biotechnology by a game developed by ISAAA for the media, “"Guess which is a biotech product", already tested in the Philippines in 2005. A simple laboratory practical will be set up to provide participants with a direct experience with biotechnology research tools. In addition, a field visit of research facilities/field trials will be scheduled as part of the workshop.
Participants will be introduced to the principles of reporting on biotechnology, and journalists will avail of free time to write biotechnology related articles. These articles will be discussed in one of the workshop sessions. Scientists will comment on the technical content of articles, while a science communication specialist will provide feedback on the writing style and focus.
MABIC will be funding two Malaysian journalists to attend this workshop. Participants’ travel to Karachi (economy class), accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshop will be provided by MABIC.
Journalists who are involved in reporting on science with an interest in biotechnology are invited to write-in to us. Please click below for the nomination form.
