[SASCON] FW: Reporting Science Conference

[Kim Trollip]

-----Original Message-----
From: Colleen Lawson [mailto:clawson at paulafray.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:17 AM
To: sascon at saasta.ac.za
Subject: Reporting Science Conference



 


MEDIA RELEASE

Reporting science one

 

NAKED SCIENTISTS TO HELP JOURNALISTS DE-JARGON SCIENCE REPORTING

 

Naked scientists and proficient professors are all set to help journalists
take the jargon of out reporting science this November.

 

Chris Smith from the popular BBC radio series The Naked Scientists, is just
one of the speakers at the first Reporting Science conference targeted at
reporters, sub-editors, feature editors and producers, which takes place on
the 19 and 20 November 2007.

 

The discipline of Science Reporting remains one of the greatest challenges
facing newsrooms. Global warming, technological advancements, the science of
HIV/AIDS and the myriad of scientific issues facing communities, make this
an essential beat to understand and master.

 

Organised by PAULA FRAY & ASSOCIATES, the conference aims to build and
strengthen journalists' awareness of scientific news and their skills in
reporting and writing about science in accessible and interesting ways.

 

Speakers will include; Diran Onifade, from Nigeria, Deputy President of
World Federation of Science Journalists, Prof Lee Berger, Head of
Paleoanthropology University of the Witwatersrand, Prof Bruce Hewitson,
Climatologist, University of Cape Town, Dr Francois Venter, Clinical
Director, Esselen Street Clinic & Reproductive Health & HIV Research Unit
and Christina Scott, Head of SAFSJ and South African science journalist.

 

 

More/.

 

 

Reporting science two last/

 

"Science is increasingly recognised as a critical subject that deserves
public debate and scrutiny. Improving the quantity and quality of science
reporting in southern Africa will require far more than just lobbying
editors to provide editorial space," said Paula Fray, conference organiser.

Newsrooms face immense challenges in both the knowledge levels of their
reporters as well as the skills of their reporters in covering science.

 

"It is clear therefore that science needs to target not only the reporters
but also the people who commission their work (editors/producers), the
people who edit their work (sub-editors) and the people who present their
work (talk show hosts, current affairs presenters)," she added.

 

The conference will include plenary sessions and small group workshops. 

 

Book today to ensure a space in the workshops.

 

Date:                          19th & 20th November

Venue:                       Hacklebrook Estate, Craighall Park,
Johannesburg

Cost:                          R1 824 (incl VAT)

 

Info/Bookings:        Ruth Molopyane, (011 341 0767) or
rmolopyane at paulafray.com

 

 

Conference Account Executive

PAULA FRAY AND ASSOCIATES

COMMUNICATION FOR CHANGE