Stories that Matter to a Changing World - article from ABSW Science Reporter
An edited version of this article was first published in The Science Reporter - the online newsletter for ABSW members
WCSJ2009 – Stories that matter to a changing world
Someone once said that in journalism you are only as good as your last article. Sit back on your laurels in the face of financial constraints and fierce competition for column inches and air time and you may find you no longer have a seat. Ignore the technological changes impacting on journalism and you may find yourself outwitted by a new generation of reporters. If you want to find out where science journalism is going and be part of those shaping its future then read on.
An overview
From 29th June – 3 July 2009, upward of 600 science journalists will arrive at Westminster Central Hall, in the heart of London for a week of workshops, debates, briefings, trips and networking/social events. Programme Director Fiona Fox of the Science Media Centre hopes that debate will be the main focus of the Conference. “Our intention is to really hone in on issues that are key to journalism, and in particular science journalism, rather than just become yet another conference on science. We want to see people disagreeing, we want to see difficult questions asked and we want to help journalists shape their future. We all have something to learn, we can all become more professional and expert in our roles and this is no different for science journalists. We want journalists to go away with new contacts, new ideas, new skills and new enthusiasm for their vital job. “
The WCSJ2009 is not a Conference about science, it is not a place for journalists to report on science, it is a Conference where journalists take an active role in the debate. As Pallab Ghosh, President of the World Federation of Science Journalists says, ‘The WCSJ is not really about news it is about improving standards of science journalism. It is about science journalists organising our own international event on issues we think are interesting and important to our profession, such as how we should cover climate change and how we take advantage of the opportunities provided by new media. But most of all it’s for reporters and producers from across the world to get together and develop the culture of critical, hard-hitting journalism. Once upon a time our job was to translate and enthuse about science. Now it’s to provide mature, independent analysis of scientific developments that will shape the future destiny of communities across the world.’
The programme
The main programme for the conference is now online at www.wcsj2009.org, including session summaries and speakers. More will follow over the coming weeks; lunch and breakfast briefings, satellite events, receptions and drop in workshops. Highlights include a plenary session of editors reflecting on the position of science reporting within media outlets. James Harding, the Editor of the Times, and Ian Katz, Deputy Editor of the Guardian, will join other key players in the media to reflect on the status of science in the print media. No journalism conference could take place in the 21st Century without some discussion of the overwhelming influence of the internet and broadband. The WCSJ New Media plenary invites experts such as Krishna Bharat, founder of Google News and Ben Hammersley, Associate Editor of the new UK edition of Wired magazine to consider where news reporting might be in 20 years time all under the watchful eye of the BBC’s Nick Higham in the chair. For those who want a more hands on approach workshops on new media techniques are being held as part of a series of skills building workshops at the start of the Conference. The Knight Science Journalism Fellowships Programme of MIT and Harvard bring their expertise to London, for those who are only taking their first steps into these forms of reporting. Drop in workshops on podcasting and other new techniques are also planned.
The heavyweights of environmental policy Sir David King Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, and Professor Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are on board for a plenary session that will set out a route map for reporting in the run up to the crucial United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Copenhagen, this December. A Conference widely believed to be our final chance to find global agreement on tackling climate change. For Government’s around the world to come to an agreement on climate change scientific advice is vital. A further plenary at WCSJ2009 brings together a panel of Government Scientific Advisers, including the UK and Ireland Advisers, Professor John Beddington and Professor Patrick Cunningham.
Finally Colin Blakemore, professor of Neuroscience, will chair a plenary on what philanthropy means for the future of science and humanity featuring Fred Kavli, Founder and Chairman of the Kavli Foundation and Mike Lazaridis President and CEO of Research in Motion.
Debating face to face not on ABSW-L
What of the issues that have raged on the ABSW discussion list over the past year? Embargoes in science reporting: Friend or foe? Features Richard Horton Editor-in-Chief of the Lancet and Geoff Watts of the BBC. Lack of scrutiny of press releases leading to inaccurate, ‘lazy’ reporting, Nick Davis who coined the phrase ‘churnalism’, in his book Flat Earth News, will be in conversation with Fiona Fox. In need of more contacts for freelancing? Meet the Editors, does exactly what it says on the tin with editors telling you how and what to pitch. What is all this Twittering and RSS feeding – new media is covered in both plenary, parallel sessions and workshops. Are the actions of CNN indicative of a wider problem in science reporting? Miles O’Brien formerly of the culled CNN science and environment unit will speak in a session that asks is science journalism in crisis? What ever happened to the ABSW awards? They are back in a short and sweet format with awards for life time achievement and best newcomer being made at the WCSJ2009 Gala Reception, and this just might be a stepping stone to the return of the full awards – watch this space.
Wot, no science reporting?
All sounds good but you still have a day job? Although the primary aim of the Conference is to allow journalists to step back from reporting clearly science coverage can’t come to halt. A fully functional media room will allow you to file from the conference, breakfast and lunch briefings and press conferences will also provide stories on a plate – others you may need to seek out - perhaps egged on by a session entitled ‘Investigative science reporting: Does it exist?’
The small print
You will have to pay, something I know that journalists are not used to doing. No offence meant, I have never known a journalist not stand you a drink, but generally conferences are free as the organisers want you there to provide coverage for them. We don’t, we want you there to ensure lively, informed debate, fly the flag for UK science reporting and play host to the international science media coming to London. The full fee structure including day rates is at www.wcsj2009.org but in summary, ABSW full members get the cheapest rate of any category at £225 plus VAT for the entire conference, including workshops, trips, receptions, breakfasts, lunches and more. For ABSW associate members the rate is £335 plus VAT.
Speakers are still being confirmed and there may be some surprises yet. To keep right up to date visit the WCSJ2009 blog (www.wcsj2009.org) or sign up to our Twitter feed
(http://twitter.com/srPR )
See you in Westminster if not before.
Sallie Robins – Co-Director WCSJ2009
sallie.robins@wcsj2009.org
07733 330344
WCSJ2009 – Stories that matter to a changing world
Someone once said that in journalism you are only as good as your last article. Sit back on your laurels in the face of financial constraints and fierce competition for column inches and air time and you may find you no longer have a seat. Ignore the technological changes impacting on journalism and you may find yourself outwitted by a new generation of reporters. If you want to find out where science journalism is going and be part of those shaping its future then read on.
An overview
From 29th June – 3 July 2009, upward of 600 science journalists will arrive at Westminster Central Hall, in the heart of London for a week of workshops, debates, briefings, trips and networking/social events. Programme Director Fiona Fox of the Science Media Centre hopes that debate will be the main focus of the Conference. “Our intention is to really hone in on issues that are key to journalism, and in particular science journalism, rather than just become yet another conference on science. We want to see people disagreeing, we want to see difficult questions asked and we want to help journalists shape their future. We all have something to learn, we can all become more professional and expert in our roles and this is no different for science journalists. We want journalists to go away with new contacts, new ideas, new skills and new enthusiasm for their vital job. “
The WCSJ2009 is not a Conference about science, it is not a place for journalists to report on science, it is a Conference where journalists take an active role in the debate. As Pallab Ghosh, President of the World Federation of Science Journalists says, ‘The WCSJ is not really about news it is about improving standards of science journalism. It is about science journalists organising our own international event on issues we think are interesting and important to our profession, such as how we should cover climate change and how we take advantage of the opportunities provided by new media. But most of all it’s for reporters and producers from across the world to get together and develop the culture of critical, hard-hitting journalism. Once upon a time our job was to translate and enthuse about science. Now it’s to provide mature, independent analysis of scientific developments that will shape the future destiny of communities across the world.’
The programme
The main programme for the conference is now online at www.wcsj2009.org, including session summaries and speakers. More will follow over the coming weeks; lunch and breakfast briefings, satellite events, receptions and drop in workshops. Highlights include a plenary session of editors reflecting on the position of science reporting within media outlets. James Harding, the Editor of the Times, and Ian Katz, Deputy Editor of the Guardian, will join other key players in the media to reflect on the status of science in the print media. No journalism conference could take place in the 21st Century without some discussion of the overwhelming influence of the internet and broadband. The WCSJ New Media plenary invites experts such as Krishna Bharat, founder of Google News and Ben Hammersley, Associate Editor of the new UK edition of Wired magazine to consider where news reporting might be in 20 years time all under the watchful eye of the BBC’s Nick Higham in the chair. For those who want a more hands on approach workshops on new media techniques are being held as part of a series of skills building workshops at the start of the Conference. The Knight Science Journalism Fellowships Programme of MIT and Harvard bring their expertise to London, for those who are only taking their first steps into these forms of reporting. Drop in workshops on podcasting and other new techniques are also planned.
The heavyweights of environmental policy Sir David King Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, and Professor Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are on board for a plenary session that will set out a route map for reporting in the run up to the crucial United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Copenhagen, this December. A Conference widely believed to be our final chance to find global agreement on tackling climate change. For Government’s around the world to come to an agreement on climate change scientific advice is vital. A further plenary at WCSJ2009 brings together a panel of Government Scientific Advisers, including the UK and Ireland Advisers, Professor John Beddington and Professor Patrick Cunningham.
Finally Colin Blakemore, professor of Neuroscience, will chair a plenary on what philanthropy means for the future of science and humanity featuring Fred Kavli, Founder and Chairman of the Kavli Foundation and Mike Lazaridis President and CEO of Research in Motion.
Debating face to face not on ABSW-L
What of the issues that have raged on the ABSW discussion list over the past year? Embargoes in science reporting: Friend or foe? Features Richard Horton Editor-in-Chief of the Lancet and Geoff Watts of the BBC. Lack of scrutiny of press releases leading to inaccurate, ‘lazy’ reporting, Nick Davis who coined the phrase ‘churnalism’, in his book Flat Earth News, will be in conversation with Fiona Fox. In need of more contacts for freelancing? Meet the Editors, does exactly what it says on the tin with editors telling you how and what to pitch. What is all this Twittering and RSS feeding – new media is covered in both plenary, parallel sessions and workshops. Are the actions of CNN indicative of a wider problem in science reporting? Miles O’Brien formerly of the culled CNN science and environment unit will speak in a session that asks is science journalism in crisis? What ever happened to the ABSW awards? They are back in a short and sweet format with awards for life time achievement and best newcomer being made at the WCSJ2009 Gala Reception, and this just might be a stepping stone to the return of the full awards – watch this space.
Wot, no science reporting?
All sounds good but you still have a day job? Although the primary aim of the Conference is to allow journalists to step back from reporting clearly science coverage can’t come to halt. A fully functional media room will allow you to file from the conference, breakfast and lunch briefings and press conferences will also provide stories on a plate – others you may need to seek out - perhaps egged on by a session entitled ‘Investigative science reporting: Does it exist?’
The small print
You will have to pay, something I know that journalists are not used to doing. No offence meant, I have never known a journalist not stand you a drink, but generally conferences are free as the organisers want you there to provide coverage for them. We don’t, we want you there to ensure lively, informed debate, fly the flag for UK science reporting and play host to the international science media coming to London. The full fee structure including day rates is at www.wcsj2009.org but in summary, ABSW full members get the cheapest rate of any category at £225 plus VAT for the entire conference, including workshops, trips, receptions, breakfasts, lunches and more. For ABSW associate members the rate is £335 plus VAT.
Speakers are still being confirmed and there may be some surprises yet. To keep right up to date visit the WCSJ2009 blog (www.wcsj2009.org) or sign up to our Twitter feed
(http://twitter.com/srPR )
See you in Westminster if not before.
Sallie Robins – Co-Director WCSJ2009
sallie.robins@wcsj2009.org
07733 330344
Labels: science journalism
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