Science and technology are integral components of any nation’s development. And as such, the communication of science is an integral component of encouraging a science and technology culture.
On November 14, 2003, a small group of Arab science journalists opened an E-group to form as a meeting ground to discuss ways of promoting a science and technology culture in the Arab world.
While the group grew, and the discussions evolved, 15 science journalists from Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania, the Sudan, Lebanon and Yemen met in Cairo between April 26 and 28, 2004 in a capacity building workshop that resulted in further networking and development of a budding Arab Science Journalists’ Association. Today, the group has more than 100 members and is constantly growing.
As a result of discussions, the Arab Association of Science Journalists has agreed on the following vision:
Encouraging high standards of journalistic professionalism in science reporting in the Arab world.
Promoting a science culture among the peoples of the Arab world through developing the skills of journalists in communicating science.
Encouraging coverage of science issues that are relevant to the needs of the Arab world, especially those that require an extra effort from the part of our scientists to find solutions for.
Ensuring the free flow of information, particularly among scientists, journalists, and the peoples of the Arab world as a means that guarantees the right of people to know what is happening around them, how it impacts them, and how they can be active members of the decision-making process.
Based on this vision, the Arab Association of Science Journalists has the following objectives:
Forming a network of science journalists in the Arab world that will allow a free exchange of experiences and ideas among them.
Exchanging contact information of individuals and institutions relevant to the science journalists' field of work.
Issuing an annual report that analyzes science content in Arab media.
Playing a role in developing the skills of journalists by providing information on scholarships, opportunities and awards, in addition to providing capacity building workshops at regular intervals.
Networking with Arab media organizations with an aim of providing them with journalists with a good potential in covering science issues in order to develop science departments in the media of the Arab world, and to benefit from the skills of such organizations in training Arab journalists for science coverage.
Monitoring Arab media for signs of poor coverage of science issues, and issuing recommendations for its improvement, in addition to following up these recommendations to ensure its implementation as best as possible.
Monitoring Arab media for examples of excellence in science coverage, and encouraging such efforts by recognizing their achievements and providing them as positive examples to be encouraged.
Contacting relevant Arab and international institutions to further cooperation that will allow the development of the association, the skills of its members, and the ability of its members to find relevant stories to cover.
Encouraging producers, directors, editors, and publishers in the Arab world to give science issues ample space in their priority lists.
Forming a professional code of ethics for Arab science journalism and propagating among members of the profession.
Playing an integral role in encouraging the Arabization of science.
Promoting Arab science in international media through Arab journalists working in languages other than Arabic.
Producing a newsletter (electronic or print) that covers the important issues of Arab science journalism, providing examples of member experiences and concerns.
Developing a web site for Arab science journalists that can, in the future, be an important source of information not only for journalists, but also to professional scientists.
The Arab Association of Science Journalists encourages any Arab journalist that shares our dreams to join us by visiting our membership page.
