DSaT implores journalists to specialise in science communication reporting

Technology and Science Minister Felix Chipota Mutati (Left) with MTN Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bart Hofker (Right) on Sunday, 27th No ember, 2022

DSaT implores journalists to specialise in science communication reporting

RUSSIA-ZAMBIA 2022 STEM-E FORUM HELD UNDER THE THEME “STEM SYSTEM AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER”

By Alfonso Matthew Kasongo

DZIWA Science and Technology Trust (DSaT), a Zambian Non Governmental advocating for science communication and advocacy has reiterated calls to train journalists in modern biotechnology reporting to ensure they understand new emerging technologies among them Genome Editing.

The organisation notes with concern the increased information gap on new emerging technologies hence calling for the training of journalists in science communication if the gap is to be bridged.

DSaT founder and Executive Director Veronica Mwaba who is in Lagos ,Nigeria attending a consultative meeting on Genome Editing Communication and Policy Dialogue themed “Genome editing a tool for Agricultural and food sustainability for national development”
has called for African countries to train the media and build their capacity to help them understand Genome Editing among other emerging technologies in agriculture.

President Hakainde Hichilema with Education Minister Dr. Douglas Siakalima in the USA

In a Sunday 18th December, 2022 Press Release on Gene-Editing Ms Mwaba says the public needs to understand Genome Editing adding that this is only possible if journalists report from informed position.

“Genome Editing also called Gene Editing is the utilisation of precision technologies to get the best genetic material of the same plant or animal to develop traits which enhance productivity,” read a Press Release Signed by  DSaT Nayo Nayo Science.

DSaT founder and Executive Director Veronica Mwaba

The DSaT founder, who is Country Fellow for the Alliance for Science (AFS) Zambia has since challenged journalists in the country and continent at large to take interest and specialise in modern biotechnology reporting.
Genome Editing is complex. Therefore, there is need to equip journalists with knowledge to create space for indepth reporting on the impact of this cutting-edge technology.
Meanwhile she has thanked the African Union Development Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Zambian government through the National Science Technology Council (NSTC) to spearhead the development and drafting of Zambia’s genome editing communication strategy in collaboration with the scientific community in Zambia.

HH with Ambassador Jacek

Ms . Mwaba is among the researchers from Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) as part of the delegation representing Zambia in the AUDA-NEPAD policy dialogue meeting on Gene Editing.
Nigeria is among the six African Union countries which have received the AUDA-NEPAD support to develop the gene-editing communication strategy that aim at communicating gene editing technologies in order to increase awareness of the new technology.

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