The objective of this paper is to investigate the need for effective communication of science and technology in the post-Covid-19 era. The disruption as a result of the pandemic has affected social, economic, political and technological systems across the globe. Communicating science and technology provides people with the clear, accurate and factual information that are required to respond effectively to the current disruption of systems and with the emergence of the Second-Wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The World Health Organization six principles appears to be the most suitable strategy to communicate science and technology in this era. The Framework has six principles states that a communication should be “accessible, actionable, credible and trusted, relevant, timely and understandable. The systems approach is the preferred methodology where a complex science and technology information is broken into small constituent parts and communicated more clearly. The strategy will make it simpler for journalists, science communicators or writers to be more effective in carrying out their mandates as public educators and informants.
Table of Contents
1. Science Reporting
2. Trajectory in Science reporting in Africa
3. Effective Communication of Science and Technology in Post Covid-19 era
4. Communication Strategies and methodologies in post Covid-19 era
5. Importance and benefits of methodologies and strategies
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The objective of this paper is to investigate the necessity for effective communication of science and technology in the post-Covid-19 era, focusing on how improved communication strategies can help the public respond to global crises and systemic disruptions.
- The role of the media as an intermediary between scientists and the public.
- Challenges in science journalism within Africa, including infrastructure and training.
- Application of the World Health Organization's six communication principles.
- Implementation of the 'systems approach' to break down complex scientific information.
- The importance of two-way communication in fostering public trust and safety.
Excerpt from the Book
SCIENCE REPORTING
The media plays a vital role in facilitating the understanding of science and technology by members of the public. According to Bucchi (2014), journalists serve as intermediaries between the public and scientists in a particular scientific issue. This calls for an analysis of the media representation of space science and technology in the society. A few studies aimed at investigating the volume and quality of media coverage of space science and technology in Africa have been carried out. According to Turner (2008), this is as a result of the problems associated with science journalism in the continent. For instance, poor pay, lack of proper training, lack of facilities, among others have been major obstacles in the past. However, over the past few years, there has been an emerging interest among African countries in space science and technology. Hence the recent special attention being given to science reporting which is regarded as one of the critical and strategic areas of journalism practice.
Several studies have been carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of media on the understanding of science and technology in general by the public. For instance, Bulkeley (2000), says the media played an important role in helping the public to understand science. During a climate change study carried out in Australia, the media was instrumental in addressing the misinformed views among the people, which resulted from illiteracy and public ignorance on global environmental issues.
Allan (2002) argues that the media can leverage its functions of agenda setting, framing, and audience priming to affect the form and scope of public knowledge. This may also influence the values and actions of the people. The media can, therefore, facilitate better public knowledge on space science and technology issues by providing more accurate and relevant information.
Summary of Chapters
Science Reporting: This chapter analyzes the media's role as a vital intermediary between scientists and the public, highlighting challenges such as poor training and facilities in African science journalism.
Trajectory in Science reporting in Africa: This chapter examines the growth of the knowledge-based economy in Africa and underscores the critical need for media investment and training to support space science and technology.
Effective Communication of Science and Technology in Post Covid-19 era: This chapter discusses the urgency of providing accurate, actionable information in the wake of the pandemic to ensure public safety and mitigate the spread of misinformation.
Communication Strategies and methodologies in post Covid-19 era: This chapter introduces the World Health Organization’s six principles—accessible, actionable, credible, trusted, relevant, and timely—as the primary framework for effective public communication.
Importance and benefits of methodologies and strategies: This chapter evaluates the tangible benefits of using structured communication methodologies to foster two-way dialogue and improve public adherence to necessary health precautions.
Conclusion: This chapter reiterates that in the ongoing pandemic era, a simplified, systems-based approach to communication is essential for public education and safety.
Keywords
Communication, Science, Covid-19, Technology, Principles, Methodologies, Strategies, Science Journalism, Media, Public Education, Information, Systems Approach, Africa, Health, Awareness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the critical necessity of effective science and technology communication during the post-Covid-19 era, emphasizing how the media can help the public navigate global disruptions.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The key themes include the role of science journalism in Africa, the impact of the pandemic on global information flow, the application of WHO communication principles, and the use of the systems approach in reporting.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to provide a framework for journalists and science communicators to translate complex scientific data into clear, factual, and actionable information for the general public.
Which scientific methodology does the paper advocate for?
The paper advocates for the "systems approach," which involves breaking down complex topics into smaller, interrelated parts to make them easier to understand as a unified whole.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the current state of science reporting in Africa, the challenges of communication during a pandemic, and the specific application of strategies like accessibility, credibility, and relevance in journalism.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
The research is best characterized by keywords such as science communication, public health, media responsibility, Covid-19, and the systems approach to journalism.
Why does the author focus specifically on Africa?
The author highlights Africa as a continent experiencing rapid growth in space science and technology, noting that infrastructure challenges require specific communication strategies to ensure the public benefits from these developments.
How does the "systems approach" improve public understanding of Covid-19?
The systems approach prevents the virus from being viewed as an isolated incident by placing it within a broader context, allowing the audience to grasp the long-term, interconnected impacts on their social and economic lives.
What role do the WHO's six principles play in this research?
These principles serve as the foundational framework for the paper, arguing that for communication to be effective, it must be accessible, actionable, credible, trusted, relevant, and timely.
- Citar trabajo
- Dr. Felix Babatunde Ale (Autor), 2020, Communicating Science and Technology in Post-Covid-19 Era, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/981602
