Speakers at a day-long ‘13th Science Communicators Meet’ on June 29 heard with rapt attention how science communicators has been playing a significant role in combating misinformation about the Covid pandemic during the past two years.
Organized by the Indian Science News Association (ISNA) in collaboration with Vigyan Prasar of the Government of India ended unanimously with the outcome that the pandemic had witnessed a manifold increase in the number of science communicators. Many of them were graduates of the ISNA training program on science communication and media practice.
The conglomeration witnessed the participation of more than 100 scientists, media practioners, academicians and students across the country. Chief Guest, Subhro Niyogi, Assistant Resident Editor, the Times of India, observed that it was really difficult to reach science to the common people but an all out effort should be made to achieve the goal. Shri Prasanta K Bose, Chairman, XXXV Training Program on Science Communication and Media Practice 2022-2023, ISNA on a positive node said, “successful graduates have been regularly been contributing in different dailies and journals lending their voice in scientific talk shows in radio or presenting through TV channels and meeting people in the villages through science clubs and organization to create awareness about science.”
On the other hand Dr Amit Krishna De, Secretary of Indian Science News Association stressed the science students should try to create scientific temper among the mass and therefore science learning is an important factor in science communication. News Sense, Editor Joydeep Dasgupta was of the opinion that social media should be properly utilized in disseminating scientific information. At the same time care should be taken to prevent spreading of “fake news” through the digital media. Sourav Sen of Vigyan Prasar outlined the steps taken by his organization to popularize science education among students of 22000 schools in the country including many from Kolkata.
Along with traditional media, social media also can be used to promote science to reach out to large section of the society and this can be possible with the collective efforts of the scientists, communicators and students.
