Malaysia: Scientists and the Media Converge

In an attempt to bridge the communication divide between scientists and the members of the media, the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) organized a one-day colloquium in collaboration with University Malaya’s Centre for Civilization and Dialogue. Malaysia has a strong biotechnology agenda and to realize this, coherent efforts in communicating biotechnology to the public is of paramount importance.

View points from the scientists and journalists were presented before a dialogue between these groups were pursued. Throughout the discussion, it was clear that both parties have the interest to communicate science, but they are bound by many hurdles and challenges. The challenges faced by scientists are lack of time, inability to communicate in laymen language, getting the newspaper space for science news, and engaging journalists in a constructive discussion that leads to science news. Journalists face a different set of challenges namely, lack of understanding on the issue, lack of interest among the public to read science news, the requirements set by the editors, and difficulties in engaging scientists to speak about their research.

A suggestion was made to form a society for science journalists which the scientific community can refer to when there is a need to publish news on science. It was also pointed out that there is a need to identify champions in universities and research institutes who can serve as spokespersons when there is a need to respond to inaccurate science news published in the media.

For details about the colloquium and about biotechnology in Malaysia, contact Mahaletchumy Arujanan at: maha@bic.org.my