The State of Science Communication in Senegal
By Momar Dieng, Senegal
Momar: Scientific communication has a low profile in Senegal, especially in the media particularly in the media. What do you think are the reasons for this?
Yacine Ndiaye (IRD Senegal) from ‘Media time is not research time’: “In my opinion, the problem is a structural one, scientific journalism does not occupy a prominent position. Priority is often given to political news. The science desk is rarely the first to speak at editorial meetings. The demands of editorial departments in terms of hot news content, in addition to the turnover of journalists who often change desks, do not the help the development of specialized journalism. Let’s not forget that the process of research is long, and that of information is more of a matter of instantaneity and exclusivity. In newsrooms, it’s not easy for a journalist to take an interest in this slow process of scientific production. As a result, it’s difficult to stabilize the relationship between science and the media, and co-construct a genuine solutions-based journalism.”
Momar: What difficulties do you most often encounter in communicating scientific facts or elements to the public via the media?
Yacine Ndiaye (IRD Senegal) from ‘Media time is not research time’: “The media plays an important role in promoting research to the general public. Today, scientific information and research are more essential than ever and can generate high-impact decisions. The main challenge we face is to make people understand that media time is not research time. For those whose job is to be close to the facts it’s not always easy to understand that the results of research are not yet knowledge that is factual enough to share, but it is science in the making.
We had clear examples of this during Covid, where knowledge of the disease and the means of prevention were refined over weeks and months.
We’re also finding it hard to create real synergy between research institutes and journalists. In other words, the relationship remains ad hoc. For an event for example, a symposium or workshop, we have no trouble mobilizing the media. On the other hand we don’t often get requests from journalists for in-depth reports outside the event. There is no reflex yet from the research institutes to source the scientific information.”
Momar: Do you think your messages are well received?
Yacine Ndiaye (IRD Senegal) from ‘Media time is not research time’: “Generally speaking, I think our messages are well received. There may, however, be a problem of translating scientific jargon and making it understandable to a wider audience. Faced with this situation, the research world needs to make an effort to report accurately to journalists on scientific issues.
This is what we are trying to initiate at the IRD in Senegal (Institut de recherche pour le development) by for example, organizing workshops to build journalists’ capacity and skills in handling scientific information. These sessions help journalists identify topics for scientific reporting, organize interviews with researchers and the production of in-depth reports on scientific topics. The idea here is to encourage learning by doing, and in particular to encourage journalists to exchange and share with researchers, which will help better understand the jargon and learn how to decipher scientific data for appropriate editorial use.”
Momar: What forms of partnership between the media and scientific organizations could help in this direction?
Yacine Ndiaye (IRD Senegal) from ‘Media time is not research time’: “The notions of independence, ethics and deontology are essential to the existence of a healthy relationship between scientists and the media. They must be the foundation of the relationship. Media independence must first and foremost be financial, to avoid any influence or dependence. Various forms of partnership can be envisaged:
- Research institutes can offer a “scientific culture” component in the form of media grants to finance scientific research topics
- Creation of networks of specialized journalists
- Co-development of science curricula within journalism training schools
- Ongoing training for journalists working in the media”
Contribution for our Newsletter from the head of research communication and promotion at the French Institute for Development Research (IRD) in Senegal who spoke to our contributing editor Momar Dieng