On QOTD: A civic science journalist interviews one of the science journalists covering the 2023 Berlin Science Week
Key Information:
In a recent episode of saiTV’s Questions of the Day (QOTD), host Fanuel Muindi interviews Barajiwa A. Sentausa, the Editor-in-Chief of Kok Bisa. A recipient of the 2023 Berlin Science Week Journalism Research Grant, Sentausa is one of six science journalists selected to participate in the digital program and report on scientific topics related to the Berlin Science Week. This grant, funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Higher Education and Research, Health, and Long-Term Care, and supported by Brain City Berlin, is part of an initiative to strengthen Berlin’s standing as a center of scientific excellence and promote independent science journalism. The Berlin Science Week is an international science festival held in early November each year in Berlin, Germany, and features diverse events, workshops, and discussions.
Why It Matters:
This grant enables independent coverage of scientific events thus empowering journalists like Sentausa to report on various science and technology subjects. This freedom is crucial for science journalists, allowing them to follow their curiosity in covering new developments. Sentausa emphasizes this: “it just gets me interested as a personal geek and as a science journalist.” He further adds, “my point is to get Indonesian audiences to know about any scientific progress going on in Berlin and inspire the youth to like science more through my content.” His insights underscore the importance of bringing diverse and global perspectives to science journalism. More than ever before, independent science journalists like Sentausa are essential in covering the developments and making them accessible and engaging for the public. Thus, it's critical for initiatives like the Berlin Science Week Journalism Research Grant to exist and support independent science journalists and civic science journalists alike.
Questions to Keep in Mind:
- How many science festivals provide access to journalism research grants to contribute to promoting independent science journalism?
- How does the experience and level of access differ between journalists participating digitally and those attending in person at the festival, and what implications does this have for their reporting?
- What are the key metrics of success for the research grant?
- Considering the financial support the research grant provides, how does the grant amount influence the scope and depth of the journalistic coverage?
