Neglected By Media

Science needs to be released from 
the realm of textbooks, says Biplab Das 

Is it ethical to clone humans? Do we really need to perform more nuclear tests? Isn't it sheer extravagance to allocate money for space research while millions starve to death in Asia and Africa? For the common people, the giant leaps in science and technology raise several such questions. Because large amount of the money comes from the taxpayer's pocket he has the right to know what researchers do in their ivory towers. 

It is a pity that those people in white coats are either loathe to explain their work to lay people, or are simply too hard pressed for time. So who will tell the commoners what is going on? This is where a science communicator fits in. In the hope of producing a new breed of science communicators, Indian Science News Association (ISNA) held its 17th Training Programme on Science Communication and Media Practice recently at the Meghnad Saha Auditorium of Calcutta University. 

We seldom think about science once we leave school. "It just becomes a subject meant to inspire a sense of awe," said Prof. Asis Kumar Banerjee, vice-chancellor of Calcutta University, in his inaugural address. "We need to make science a part of our culture if we want to make any real progress." 

To incorporate science into our culture, the media has an important role to play. "Unfortunately, the media has shied away from highlighting the developments of science and technology," lamented Symal Chakrabarti, from the department of chemistry, Calcutta University. "Even a strong medium like the newspaper neglect science news." The reason is very simple. Most media bosses are under the impression that a fashion or a lifestyle story sells better than a science story. 

"It is not entirely true that science news is an anathema for the media," said Anjan Basu, executive editor of Pratidin. "Right now, in media, there is dearth of journalists with a science background." As science communication is a specialist's job, Basu added, journalists with arts or commerce background cannot effectively communicate science. 

Given the opportunity, the media does highlight science for lay people. "It was shown during the total solar eclipse that was viewed from West Bengal in 1995," said Basu. "Constant publicity in the media made the rank and file shake off their superstitions and rush for vantage points to catch a glimpse of the rare celestial event." 

Visionaries like M. N. Saha and P. C. Ray believed that dissemination of scientific knowledge could enrich our culture. "Because science and culture are integral parts of our society," said Prof. N. C. Dutta, former head, department of zoology, Calcutta University. Saha, Ray and other distinguished scientists established the Indian Science News Association in 1935. The same year, ISNA published the journal, Science and Culture. "Since then, Science and Culture has been reflecting the thoughts of Indian scientists and thinkers for public understanding of science and culture," said Dutta. 

Since the advent of human civilisation, science has shaped our culture. "As civilisation marched ahead, science helped in the development of mind-boggling technologies, which, in turn, reshaped our culture," said Chakrabarti. But technology needs vary from country to country. "A technology that is effective in the biting cold of Alaska may not meet the needs of people living in the desert of Rajasthan," said Chakrabarti. 

This perspective becomes vital when India makes a deal to transfer technology from other countries. "In this regard, the media can play a vital role in shedding light on whether India needs the technology transfer," said Chakrabarti. Whatever the medium the communicators use, their language should be simple, said Basu. "While writing for lay people, they should shun scientific jargon and follow a writing style different from textbooks." 

Besides highlighting the latest developments in science and technology, science communicators will have to encourage rational thinking. It is especially necessary in a country like India where people still turn to quacks to cure diseases. "Even educated urban dwellers fall prey to the hoax of astrology," said Biswapati Mukherjee from the Institute of Post Graduate Research and Medical Education. "The worst was two years ago when the government decided to introduce an undergraduate course in astrology," said Basu. "It shocked us when a union minister, despite being trained in physics, advocated the course." This only underscores the fact that science communicators have a thorny road ahead to unmask such defenders of anti-science.