Digital Media and Science Communication

Kapurthala, September 24, 2021: Pushpa Gujral Science City, jointly with Vigyan Prasar, organized International webinar on Science Journalism: ‘From Print to Digital’ to provide a platform to budding journalist to improve their skills and develop professionalism in Science Communication. The webinar was attended by more than 100 participants including young journalists, as well as, students and teachers of Journalism & Mass Communication from different Universities & colleges across the country. It was supported by Vigyan Prasar. Dr. Nakul Prashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar was the Chief Guest of this occasion.
 
 During his address he  said that developments and advancements in science communication and digital media have benefited the society and the common man in creating scientific temper and in the fight against COVID Pandemic and social evils, like superstitions, etc., while generating self-confidence, courage and faith in themselves. Science outreach through Electronic and Social media is, therefore, need of the hour.
 
Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Science City, in her welcome remarks, said that Science Journalism has been progressively developing in India in terms of quality and quantity. It is for science communication to effectively place public interest at the heart of ‘how’ and ‘what’ of scientific knowledge produced, shared and applied. Digital science magazines, social media, feature services and programs have led to progress in the field. Hence, there is a growing need for digital media skills among journalists and communicators.
 
Dr. Rintu Nath, Scientist F, Vigyan Prasar, during his talk said that reporting and disseminating scientific content through print, digital, electronic, and social media needs to be taken up on a large scale and Vigyan Prasar is constantly making endeavours in this direction. Time has come to realize that empowering people with relevant information will go a long way in creating a society where everybody will reason and act scientifically.
 
Ms. Kathryn Tuccelli, an alumni of Purdue University and Communication Analyst & Content Strategist at OXY, USA, delivering her key-note talk on ‘Effective Science Communication in a digital world’, said that the digital medium of mass communication is the most effective to get in touch with people living in the remotest corners of the world and delivering messages to defined target audience comprehensively. She discussed modern methods of digital communication and how AI is playing an important role in sifting content for audiences with varied requirements.
 
A panel discussion on ‘Transformation of Communication Media: Print to Screen” was organized at the occasion. Ms. Nishat Nayla, SDG Educator, Bangladesh, spoke on how digitalization of journalism has improved lives of people of Bangladesh. Mr. Dustin Wenzel, an alumni of University of Texas at Austin, USA, and a Communications Consultant, in his interesting talk, said that it was a proven fact that there exists no parallel system that holds superiority over the far-reaching and efficient delivery mechanism of mass media. He discussed the nuances of writing stories for various digital mediums. Mr. Rajeev Bhaskar, Chief Editor (Digital Platform), Punjab Tribune, said that news web portals play an important role to spread scientific news and stories. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Neelima Jerath. The panel discussion concluded that Science Communication is undergoing great transformation as more and more people are adopting social media/digital platforms, in addition to print media, to share scientific communication.
 
An Essay Competition on Swatantrata ka Amrit Mahotsav was also organized as a part of ongoing celebrations of the 75th Independence Day. About 200 essay entries were received from participants.  Out of these, the  five  best entries were  awarded to  Shruti from Saarthak Government Integrated Model senior Secondary, Panchkula, Gurjasveer Singh Varaich from Govt. High School, Bhotna Barnala, Yuvraj Singh from Army Public School Unchi Bassi, Hoshiarpur, Dharampreet Singh from St. Soldier Divine Public School Jalandhar and Gurdeep Singh from Govt. School, Kambwala, Ferozpur. Winners were awarded cash prizes.
 
Mr. Sheeraj Batish thanked Vigyan Prasar and all speakers & audience for their time.