It’s all about good journalism

If we follow the rules of good journalism – sentence by sentence – we cannot fail. But what does it mean, sentence by sentence? Ask: “Would someone who knows little about X understand what I wrote?”

📚Read Good, clear writing for a checklist that keeps a story on track, sentence by sentence.

Both content and form matter.

There are many possibilities of form (TV, radio, print, online, multimedia, social, VR, 360-degree, picture story), but first be sure that the story (content) is truthful, fair, and compelling.

A good story that is truthful, fair, and compelling will “work” in any medium.

Here’s a quick list of the things that matter in good science journalism and help to ensure you get them published.

# 1 Be Factual and Truthful

Science is the pursuit of truth. So we must honor science by striving for TRUTH in our stories.

Fact-checking is a cool and fashionable term, but really, it is a staple that has always been the first rule of good journalism. Your reputation as a journalist is closely linked to how accurate your stories are.

🔎 Case Study: The International Fact-Checking Network released a top 10 fact-checking highlights of 2017. It is fascinating, and includes a remarkable account of how ‘Africa Check’ fact-checkers set the record straight, regarding the percentage of births in sub-Saharan Africa attributed to teen mothers. Click here to read the full story: “WHO figure wrong: 11% of births in sub-Saharan Africa to teen mothers – not 50%”

Think of a time you’ve come across a figure or a claim that just did not make sense. Next time this happens, try to respond to such gut feelings by asking an expert or becoming a data and fact checker yourself.

🎓Want to learn more? There are many mini Fact Checking courses available online! To get you started, be sure to check out: Africa Check | Sorting fact from fiction

#2 Be Independent

Independence in journalism is what guarantees that we are believed when we’re factual and truthful. A science journalist who is too closely associated with a certain research institute or scientist is often less believable, because it may seem like they are prioritizing or “forefronting” the research interests and/or biases of their source. Because journalists are human beings, a conflict of interest can easily arise in such a scenario.

[GRAPHIC] Want to learn more? Check out the following links:

• Independent journalism in developing countries is severely lacking
• The Five Ws of Independent Journalism

#3 Be Fair and Balanced

Balance in journalism means that we offer a mix of views to maintain impartiality in a matter. Balance in science journalism does not mean that we balance science with non-science. Fairness and balance does not mean that you give oxygen to nonsense. This is called “false balance” in science journalism.

When South Africa’s then President, Thabo Mbeki (who was an AIDS dissident) convened a panel to deliberate on whether HIV caused AIDS (half of the panel were credible HIV scientists and the other half either held that HIV was an invention or that AIDS was caused by social issues, like poverty), one scientist, South Africa’s Dr. Malegapuru Makgoba, remarked:

“We know the earth is round, and yet some believe it is flat. When we convene a panel of those who know the facts and those who do not follow science, it does not mean it should result in a comprise or in-between position. It doesn’t mean that the earth is elliptical.”

📚Further reading on this topic:

• Why balance in science journalism can distort research, create bogus controversy and even contribute to deaths
• The problem of false balance when reporting on science
• Impartial journalism is laudable. But false balance is dangerous

#4 Ensure Accountability

When you are accountable for what you write as a journalist, you instill trust. “If we write something, and we put our names to it, the buck stops with us. If there is a mistake, it is our fault”, writes Ed Young in “Discover” – check out his full article here.

“… if the scientist lied, if the press release is distorted, it’s still our fault for producing something that is inaccurate or that fails to root out these problems.”

You can only hold those in power to account if you go beyond merely reporting on science. True science journalism takes the science to a place where it has impact and where it needs to turn into policy and where the policy must be implemented effectively. And a science journalist must also expose malpractices in science – from unethical conduct to exaggeration research results. These are some of the most complex stories in science, to be tackled once you’ve mastered the craft.

#5 Remember humanity

(Almost) all good science stories are human stories. You can do science a huge favor by untangling those myths and perceptions that scientists are cold and clinical, unfeeling and only concerned with empirical evidence, with no regard for human subjects. Coupled with this is a perception that scientists get to where they are because of the exploitation of human ‘guinea pigs’. Scientists are interested in empirical evidence, but they are (mostly) human and humane.

There is now a robust community of practice around Good Participatory Practice (GPP). GPP Guidelines provide trial funders, sponsors, and implementers with systematic guidance on how to effectively engage with all stakeholders in the design and conduct of biomedical HIV prevention trials. When GPP is followed, trial participants are engaged and empowered; they make sacrifices for the sake of science from a position of informed consent.

See AVAC’s Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines.

Often scientists are driven by a personal motivation to do their research and to dedicate long hours in the lab or in the field or in front of a computer screen to find solutions. Tell that story! Make it a story that shows why it matters to the scientist, and it will matter to your readers.

Why the Human Stories Behind Science Matter:

When you have ensured all of the above, then…

#6 Pitch the story well

Consider the following guidance, which was delivered at the African Conference of Science Journalists in December 2018, by the Nation’s HealthDesk Editor, Felista Wangari (from Kenya).

When preparing to pitch your science story to an editor, ask yourself the following:

1. Have other stories been written about this? Probably. Why is yours different? What angle are you taking?
2. Why now? Why is this story timely? What are you pegging it on?
3. Who are you going to talk to? Sources – primary/ secondary/data/documents.
4. How will you tell the story? How will you engage the reader? There is more than one way to tell a story. It doesn’t have to be the usual text. It could be a social video, a data visualization, a podcast, a Q&A, a photo essay, etc. Think of fresh ways to tell your story.
5. Is it relevant? Why should a reader care? Will they connect with it? Why should they read it? How does it affect people in the real world? Why is this story important?
6. What are you trying to accomplish with this story?
7. Does your story have depth? Have you included people?
8. Solutions journalism – is it a story about people responding to a problem? Audiences are getting tired of gloom and doom? Journalism that highlights solutions (i.e. people responding to problems).
9. Science journalism – beyond health. A lot of reporters gravitate around health. Go beyond the comfort zone.
10. Data journalism – Health, science and environment has a lot of numbers/data. Use them to tell your stories for more impact. Visualize them and make them meaningful for readers.

🎓 Want to learn more? Go through these Health Editorial Guidelines, which were developed for Kenyan journalists, for further tips and inspiration on getting the Health story right.

#7 Make it Social

Hands up, anyone who doesn’t use social media? I don’t see any hands! Social media is where your audience is, so that’s where you should be – obviously!

Some of the most obvious ways to use social media platforms as a journalist include:

• Post your story there
• Find stories there
• Collaborate there for diversity and new insights
• Give your followers a voice
• Monitor your audience’s interests
• Create a social media page / presence for your or your organization’s stories
• Post breaking news and ongoing developments – to give you the edge and show your followers why it is necessary to follow you!
• Draw media influencers into your discussions for more clicks and shares

Take a look at the next lesson – Social Media Listening tips and tools – for practical guidance on how to get the most out of social media.