Track 3.2:

Humanitarian emergency: lessons for science journalism

Humanitarian crises are a challenge for journalistic practice, but especially for scientific journalism, whose role is especially important to report on some of the aspects that characterize these events, like the deterioration of health systems, declining access to food, and environmental damages. Although the role of journalism in humanitarian emergencies is often discussed, it is not common to address the particular challenges faced by science journalists. In this panel, three journalists with experience in covering scientific issues in the context of humanitarian crises in Kenya, Syria and Venezuela will present some of the main obstacles they face in carrying out their work. The discussion will allow an approach to the strategies used by Science journalists to report rigorously, and the professional and personal challenges posed by difficult situations where journalism must also often be done with restrictions on access to sources, security risks, and persecution of journalists.

• Day: March 30
• Time: from 2:00pm to 3:15pm
• Room: Salon Restrepo Salon 3

Moderator: Margaret López 
Speakers: Marielba Núñez, Luisa Salomón