Others are creating national associations of science reporters, recognizing the best journalists with awards and setting up dedicated science publications.
Akin Jimoh, a coordinator with the venture, says it’s having a domino effect.
"There are activities by national associations in terms of training and conferences. There are journalists coming together to work on one thing or the other. It’s something that will expand and expand," he said.
Despite such glowing optimism, science journalism in Africa still faces hurdles. Experts pinpoint science-unfriendly editors, difficult access to information and data sources, limited resources and dwindling foreign aid for training.
Jean Marc Fleury is president of the World Federation of Science Journalists. He said despite the challenges, there’s hope on the horizon
"It’s to keep the new young associations vibrant," he said. "To help them fundraise, find resources locally, create science journalism prizes, to build a critical mass so that eventually, there’ll be a buzz around science journalism in Africa and science journalists will bring ideas, initiate important debates so that good debates can be made."
Meantime, the most brilliant graduates from the SjCOOP Class of 2012 have been retained to work in a first-ever virtual newsroom for science reporting. Journalists will submit their story ideas and scripts to one of six editors in the Middle East and French and English-speaking Africa.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25