The project will begin with research, where through the analysis of the reporting of BiH. media on vaccines and a focus group in which scientists and journalists will participate, to identify key trends and challenges in reporting on the pandemic and other topics of a scientific nature. The Bosnian-Herzegovinian-American Academy of Arts and Sciences (BHAAAS), in partnership with Mediacenter Sarajevo, with the support of the Open Society BiH Fund and the marketing agency Republic from Sarajevo, is launching a six-month project for the development of scientific journalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using the pandemic as the main focus of the project, journalists, media professionals, students, and other interested parties will have a unique opportunity to acquire and apply knowledge in the field of scientific journalism, offer and implement their ideas for improving reporting on scientific topics, and collaborate with experts from the region and wider. The project will begin with research, where through the analysis of the reporting of BiH. media on vaccines and a focus group in which scientists and journalists will participate, to identify key trends and challenges in reporting on the pandemic and other topics of a scientific nature. In April, a two-day hackathon for young people dedicated to solutions for the promotion of scientific journalism will be held, with the aim of better-informing citizens. The main goal of the activity is to spread awareness among young people about the importance of adequate and credible information to the public on scientific topics, announced BHAAAS. In July, a three-day online conference will be held where professional scientific journalists and other experts from the region and beyond will hold lectures and workshops with unique educational content. As the final activity of the project, through an open call and selection process, seven selected journalists will receive a scholarship for writing and publishing a high-quality report on one of the scientific topics, with the continuous support of mentors (scientists and media experts). Behind this project, the media and scientific community will have resources and knowledge that they will use for the further development and improvement of scientific journalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina—it is stated in the announcement. - Science and issues of a scientific nature are increasingly becoming an inevitable part of public discussion. From global warming to the COVID-19 pandemic we are facing, it is clear that our existence depends on science. Therefore, it is of great importance that the public is adequately informed about these topics and that a certain level of scientific literacy is built-in society. I believe that journalists and scientists should cooperate much more and work together to form public opinion. That is why this project will work on connecting these two worlds," said Ljiljana Đukanović, member of BHAAAS and project manager. Very specific knowledge in the field of natural sciences, and an understanding of various pharmaceutical and health terms and processes, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, proved to be extremely important for journalists and editors to understand everything that is happening themselves and then to report on it and explain it to the general public, recalls Elvira Jukić-Mujkić, editor at Mediacentr Sarajevo, according to BHAAAS. (DEPO PORTAL/dg)
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