During Canada’s Right to Know Week, Kathryn O’Hara, president of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association, sent out a call on Nature asking federal scientists for more transparency. And you know what, I will send out a similar call to government scientists in Arab states: Please, science journalists cannot do their job, which is essential for yours, without more transparency.
A few years ago, I used to work in an office that was just across the street from the Egyptian National Research Centre. I remember my managing editor used to say that it is much easier to get information about goings-on in a university in the US than it is to know what is happening inside the walls of that centre. As a matter of fact, most of the research being conducted within those walls, which is funded by taxpayers’ money, still remains pretty much mysterious to all on the outside.
Recently, a science reporter who was doing a news story for Nature Middle East about the H1N1 pandemic alert cost for developing countries was offended, shooed, and mistreated when she tried to get an official position from the Ministry of Health in Egypt. Ironically, this came from the press officer of the ministry, who told her that they hated the headache the journalists cause.
This is an ever-repeated story for science journalists all over the region. Transparency when it comes to science and health issues is near non-existent. In fact, in many cases, the scientists are given specific orders by their superiors to not talk to any members of the media. I remember several times getting in touch with a researcher, only to have them tell me in a scared voice that they would be “in serious trouble” if their bosses know they gave statements to the media and thus would refuse to talk to me.
Now I understand why this is happening to a certain degree. Politicians and the government want to “look good.” They don’t want messy issues leaking to the media. However, on the other hand, this stifling of communication is overall harmful to their work.
The average person on the street has no means of knowing what kind of research is being done in their home countries. The initial impression they will get is that “nothing worthwhile is being done there.” This is unfortunate, and counterproductive to these governments that are trying to put out a good impression. Sometimes they are actually doing some really good work – but no one will hear about it, nor appreciate their efforts – unless a science journalist reports on it. If you exclude the science journalists to prevent leakage of messy information, you are inadvertently blocking all positive reporting too.
On the other hand, this shrouded air of mystery will immediately be suspicious to me – as well as practically every other science journalist. I would love to believe that excellent work is being conducted, the money is perfectly invested, the research is helping the country and everything is going all dandy. But when I’m prevented – sometimes violently – from seeking any information on a certain topic, I can’t help but feel suspicious. It’s only human nature.
Finally, an integral part of the mandate of science journalists and science communicators worldwide is to get people excited about science. And if there is one region in the world that needs that, it is the Arab world. All the huge efforts and billion dollars investments to increase science output would fall flat if there are no home-grown young people interested in pursuing science careers. But if science journalists are constantly kept in the dark, then there is no way we can get anyone excited about science – simply because, like us, the public will remain in the dark about any and all science research being conducted here.
The media is not the enemy. In fact, we might just be the best friend that researchers and researcher centres have in the world. All we want to do is highlight the work being done as accurately as possible. That is why we would like to have easy access to researchers, research centres, and universities. No, a scripted press release is not enough.
The media will remain the link between scientists and the public and the industry. The truth is, without proper, reliable and regular access for the media to the scientists, their work will remain inside their high walls – and the people outside will remain suspicious. Yes, sometimes the things the media may report may not be in the best interest of government scientists, but that’s the way of life: You win some, you lose some.
And the winnings far outweigh the losses here.