Budding journalists learn the nitty-gritty of science journalism

In the era of rapid scientific advancements and breakthroughs, the role of science journalism has become increasingly crucial. This specialised field serves as the bridge between the complex world of science and the general public, making scientific information accessible and engaging. Science journalism plays a pivotal role in promoting understanding, enabling informed decision-making, and nurturing a scientifically literate and engaged global populace. 

Recognising the significance of this field, Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA) in Jalandhar recently organised a field trip for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication. Budding journalists went to the Pushpa Gujral Science City in Kapurthala, where they participated in a one-day workshop on Science Journalism. The workshop aimed to highlight the importance of approaching news stories with a scientific perspective, especially in the context of Punjabi journalism. The experts during the workshop emphasised how publishing news without considering scientific angles often leads to the dissemination of illogical information, fostering superstitions and confusion among the public. The workshop’s message was clear: the new generation of language journalists must embrace a scientific approach in their reporting to combat misinformation and contribute to a more enlightened society.

During the workshop, students were enlightened about the potential impact of news stories rooted in science. They learned that by focusing on news with a strong scientific foundation, young journalists could help society overcome misconceptions, combat superstitions, and dispel illusions. This approach not only enhances the quality of journalism but also serves as a valuable tool for societal betterment.

Dr Neerja Dhingra, Principal of ACFA, underscored the institution’s commitment to providing students with practical knowledge and hands-on experiences. She applauded the efforts of Dr Nivedita Khosla and Ms Avneet Kaur from the BA-JMC Department for their role in motivating and guiding the students to participate in this enlightening workshop.

Sharing his experience, Shivam Sharma, first-year BA-JMC student said, “It was a wonderful experience to get knowledge about science journalism and its place in vernacular media. Distinguished guest speakers imparted required information with suitable examples and made the concept clear. Overall, the interactive session was very informative.”

Another BA-JMC student Diksha Nayyar highlighted, “Educational visits are always helpful in making the students enriched about related subjects and topics. To focus upon science journalism is the need of the hour as it seems to be ignored in vernacular media. We learnt a lot about this stream of journalism through this workshop and visit. It was really very informative.”