Journalists from Korea and Germany discuss over science journalism environment at Harnack Haus in Berlin, Germany, last Tuesday. / Courtesy of ADeKo

By Kang Shin-who

BERLIN ― It is not an exaggeration to say that science and technology could decide future of a country. The scientific field is a critical force that drives rapid changes in the world. In this regard, journalists are obliged to report science stories promptly and accurately.

In the wake of the important roles of science journalists, Alumninetzwerk Deutschland-Korea (ADeKo), an alumni network of Koreans, who studied in Germany, hosted a forum to discuss the past, present and future of science journalism with renowned journalists from Korea and Germany.

Under the “Science Coverage vs. Infotainment – Claim, Challenges and Best Practices in Today’s Media,” the forum was held in Berlin, Germany over the last few days. The Federal Ministry of Education Research and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Seoul along with Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) or the German Academic Exchange Service have supported the academic event.

Some 20 participants and science experts discussed a wide range of topics with the following presentations; “How to Deliver Difficult Science Easily to Readers or Viewers,” Today’s Trends of Science Journalism” as well as “Ethics of Science Journalists.”

Martin Schneider, a board member of “Wissenschaftspressekonferenz,” or Germany’s Science Journalists Association, talked about overall science coverage on German TV and briefed about the association in the country.

Another presenter, Jorg Blech, correspondent of the Der Spiegel, Europe’s largest weekly news magazine, introduced popular science books he wrote, while Dr. Norbert Lossau, science editor of the Berlin-based Germen newspaper Die Welt, talked about science articles on paper and online.

Prof. Jung Jae-min of the Graduate School of Science Journalism at KAIST also presented problems of hiring journalists in Korea and the lack of the Korean people’s interests in science.

ADeKo, which was established in 2008, has approximately 6,000 members in Korea and more than 20,000 Koreans are estimated to have studied in the country. Lee Ki-su, president of Korea University, served as the first chairman of the board and Kim Sun-uk, president of Ewha Womans University, succeeded him.