Por que leen los que leen

Science and technology have come to stay with us. Hardly is there any aspect of the human society that is not affected in one area or the other.

This has made sources of science and technology news quite ubiquitous.

Ohaja (1994) believes that Curtis MacDoughall’s example provides good insight to the fruitful areas to source science and technology news, and they include:

 News on facilities that enhance human comfort and aid relaxation, for example, advances in the entertainment industry, automobile, engineering, communication technology, among others

 News on facilities or procedures for improving health and extending life span, for example, advances in pharmaceutical research, cures for deadly diseases, surgical procedures, family planning, nutrition techniques and developments, industrial safety, pollution, and control. Here the depletion of ozone layer by industrial activities and implication to live also come in

 News on nature of the universe, for example, discovery of new planets, stars and elements eclipse, etc

 News on scientific waste, for example waste of natural resources, susceptibility to diseases, over population, among others

 At the local level, efforts being made by various state governments in Nigeria on waste management projects also fall in here

 Efforts in areas of gas flaring and gas turbine development, i.e.

conversion of waste into useful materials belong

 News on scientific predictions, for example, the elimination of manual labour, control of elements, constructive use of nuclear energy, among others

 News on heroism, for example, bravery in bad health, sacrifices to research, among others. Some researchers have been bitten to death by poisonous snakes in the course of collecting venom from snakes for scientific research. Such stories fall under this sub-heading. Search for local examples as a way of encouraging researches in Nigeria. Such people could exist in the rural areas

163 without being recognised. It is the duty of a crack reporter in science and technology beat to fish them out and let the public know about them

 News on adventure, for example, hardship at the poles, in the jungle, on mountain tops

 News on the unusual, for example new intentions. You hear of people trying to fly across the globe in a balloon.

Nwabueze, (2011) further identified the following as sources of science and technology news:

 Personal observation: The reporter can decide to investigate and write on trends he/she observes on his/her own. It could be falling interest of students in science subjects/science-inclined education, increasing sale of substandard drugs, importation of outdated technology from abroad, etc

 The mass media: Special reporters can monitor the media for science and technology reports which they could follow up from different angles or for fresh development

 Science and technology journals and academic publications:

They contain research results on various studies in the field of science and technology. The reporter is faced with the task of understanding the results and interpreting them to the audience

 Press conferences/briefings: Scientists and other stakeholders in the science and technology world could organise press conference to make the public aware of innovations and breakthroughs in these areas. Science and technology programmes of government and private sector bodies could also be disclosed through press conferences

 Scientists/technologists of all kinds: These include doctors, biologists, engineers, science professors, herbalists and IT experts. Interviews with these experts could be developed as stories or published/aired verbatim

 Science research institutes: Visits to such places could yield newsworthy stories

 Organisations and establishments: that are science and technology based, auto companies/vehicle manufacturers, Industries, and manufactures of all kinds

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 Institutions of higher learning: Science schools and departments/faculties of science and technology in schools could yield interesting stories

 Special sources: This consists of inside sources who are always anonymous and confidential. They could reveal facts in strict confidence to journalists. These may be clues to exclusive stories which their companies are hiding. It could be that a particular company has stolen the copyright formula used by another company in manufacturing similar product. Facts for crucial investigative stories could be provided by inside sources

 Science and technology ministries and parastatals at federal and state levels: Regular visits to the public relations office of such organisations could be useful. Information could also be contained on their notice boards. Their PROs could have press releases that are newsworthy. A reporter can also stroll into some of the offices in such establishments, mingle with staff and make friends among them. Good stories could filter out based on such casual efforts

 Government officials/legislators, especially members of sub-committees on science and /technology, and related sub-committees.

These persons could speak on science and technology programmes, policies and plans of government

 Science and technology workers’ unions, associations and professional bodies. The union of officials and members could have newsworthy views to air or they could be approached for information on science and technology issues. Some of the union activities could also be newsworthy

 The Internet: A wide range of information, database and websites on the Internet could be useful to science and technology reporters.

One can also get science and technology information from scientists, engineers, Technologists, Medical Doctors, Laboratory Scientists, Pharmacists, markets where science equipment are sold, relations of scientists, victims of science and technology-related disasters, victims of fake and adulterated or expired drugs.

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3.2 What to Look Up for When Sourcing Science and