African Newspage reporter, 19 other African journalists for WFSJ’s science reporting workshop in London

A reporter for African Newspage, Nuhu Abdullahi Tsanni, and 19 other African science journalists from across 22 African countries have been selected to attend the World Federation of Science Journalists’ science reporting workshop in London, United Kingdom, scheduled for between 10 and 15 March 2019 in Harwell (UK).

The Montreal-based World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) is hosting the workshop in partnership with United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), an institution that directs research and innovation funding in the UK. The weeklong training workshop which is being hosted by the UK’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) at the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) aims to strengthen the African journalists’ skills in science reporting and build a professional network of journalists on the continent.

“During the training workshop, the participants will review the fundamentals of science reporting and sharpen their journalism skills using new technologies, interviews with world-renowned experts from the UK’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and research through site visits,” says a public statement on WFSJ’s website.

In addition, the workshop will serve as a springboard for selected journalists to publish nuance science stories based on their exposure to top scientists and new ways of telling stories; as well as share their experience with their colleagues back in their various home countries.

WFSJ and UKRI received 147 applications from 23 African countries for the science workshop; however, only 20 applications were successful. Selected applications were based on application quality, geographical diversity and multiple media outlet representation. Other criteria for the selection included gender balance, freelance and as well employee balance.

The WFSJ was founded in November 2002 and currently has 59 member associations representing 10, 000 science journalists from across Europe, Africa, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle-East. The federation seeks to promote the quality of science reporting; including the role of science journalists as key players in civil society and democracy and support science journalists worldwide.