ISAAA, Bayer, and SciCommPH Empower Media Practitioners to Make Informed Biotech Reporting

The quality of reporting is bolstered by the people who are telling the stories. This statement is one of the highlights of the discussions during the Empowering Informed Reporting: A Workshop on Biotechnology and Science Communication for Philippine Media Practitioners, organized by ISAAA, Inc., Bayer Philippines, and Science Communicators Philippines. The workshop, held on August 19, 2025, at Sheraton Manila Bay, was attended by over 40 media practitioners from print, online, broadcast, and social media.

The presentations provided them with updates on global adoption of biotech crops, Philippine media reportage of biotechnology, and science communication, which were delivered by Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita (ISAAA Inc.), Ms. Kristine Grace Tome (ISAAA, Inc.), and Dr. Ruby Cristobal (SciCommPH).

A panel discussion covered the status of biotech in the Philippines, with experts on biotech innovations, public acceptance, regulations, and stewardship. Another panel discussion focused on the best practices for communicating biotechnology through various channels.

At the end of the learning sessions, the media practitioners also provided their insights on how media can work with the scientific community and other key stakeholders toward a more biotech-informed society. "We need a more disruptive and novel approach," said Ivy Claudio from DZUP, one of the participants who suggested a biotech-for-all campaign that will help widen the coverage of biotechnology in legacy and social media.

For more details about the event, contact knowledge.center@isaaa.org.