Journalists trained on effective reporting of biotechnology

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in partnership with African Agricultural Technology Foundation and the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) have trained journalists in Nigeria on effective science communication.

The training is coming at a time the country is making efforts to achieve food security through the deployment and biotechnology, hence the need for journalists to acquire requisite knowledge about the technology became imperative.

Speaking during the opening of the training, the Director General of NBRDA, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha reminded the journalists that their words can spark revolutions, foster unity, and empower communities.

He said in an era characterized by an abundance of information, misinformation, and disinformation, the role of the media as purveyors of truth and guardians of democracy has never been more paramount.

“Your duty is not merely to report events but to scrutinize, analyze, and contextualize them within the framework of evidence-based knowledge. In the last few months, there have been an orchestrated campaign against the deployment of biotechnological tools to enhance agricultural productivity.

“The same technology that had saved the world and provided succour from killer diseases including diabetes, Polio and recently Covid. It is high time you start asking questions and seek to find out the basis of the campaign as the technology. While it is accepted in the health sector and not in agriculture”, Professor Mustapha noted.

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The NBRDA DG charged the journalists to adopt objectivity as their guiding principle, and an unwavering commitment to presenting facts without bias or distortion. He said as gatekeepers of information, the journalists have a duty to separate truth from falsehood, to challenge assertions, and to hold power to account, regardless of political affiliations or vested interests.

“Factual reporting is the cornerstone of journalism. It is incumbent upon you to verify the accuracy of your sources, corroborate information from multiple angles, and refrain from sensationalism or conjecture. Your audience relies on you as a trusted source of information, and you must not betray their trust with careless reporting or unchecked rumours.

“However, beyond mere reporting lies a deeper responsibility—to integrate science into your narratives, to elevate evidence-based knowledge above rhetoric and conjecture. Science is not merely a subject of academic inquiry; it is a methodology—a rigorous process of observation, experimentation, and peer review that forms the foundation of our understanding of the natural world.

“In a world grappling with complex challenges—from climate change to global pandemics—scientific literacy is more crucial than ever. As media practitioners, you have the power to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, to translate complex concepts into accessible narratives, and to foster a culture of critical thinking and inquiry.

‘But this task requires more than mere lip service to science. It demands a concerted effort to cultivate partnerships with scientists, researchers, and experts across disciplines, to seek out accurate and reliable sources of information, and to present scientific findings in a manner that is both compelling and comprehensible”, Professor Mustapha added.

In her presentation, the Director Agricultural Biotechnology at NBRDA, Dr Rose Gidado said agriculture biotechnology is a collection of scientific techniques used to improve plants, animals and microbes based on the understanding of the DNA.

She said the role of biotechnology includes development of improved seeds and better varieties of staples for food, raw material for industries, feed and forage developed by maker-assisted conventional breeding, vegetative propagation, hybridization and where appropriate, GM technology.

“Agricultural biotechnology is a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture and food security. Understanding the science behind it is crucial for informed reporting and public discourse”, she added.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE