The National Science Foundation is working on establishment of the Objective Science Reporting (OSR) Programme to minimize dissemination of misinformation, disinformation and mal information on scientific findings to the public through print and electronic media (including social media).
In this exercise, a “Science Base” and a “Media Base” will be identified, make them aware of the OSR programme and be linked together to achieve the above-mentioned objective.
The “Science Base” consists of identified “Contact Points” from the stakeholder scientific organizations. The “Independent Scientific Group” is a representation of “Scientists” who are serving at the Science Faculties of the local universities and “Retired Subject Specialists” of the above-mentioned stakeholder scientific organizations.
Three “Orientation Sessions” have been planned to organize for the above three groups to make them aware of the objectives of the OSR Programme and the way forward. Two of them were already conducted; the first one was for the “Contact Points” (14 December 2023) and the second one was for the Independant Scientific Group on Friday, 16 February 2024 from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm at the NSF Auditorium.
Three resource persons (Dr Jayantha Wattavidanage, Mr Thusitha Malalasekara, and Prof. Chandana Jayaratne) shared their knowledge and made presentations on “Significance of Science Reporting”, “Overcoming Issues related to Communication with Media”, and “Experience with Media in Science News Reporting”, respectively, with the audience consisted of 23 scientists and 11 subject specialists.
The third (final) “Orientation Session” will be arranged for the identified group of media reporters (science) on the advice and guidance of the Director General of the NSF in the near future.