Journalism: Bridging the gap between science and society

On 03 June 2025, Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia, Managing Director of NRF-SAASTA, delivered a keynote address at a roundtable discussion hosted by the National Press Club at the CSIR International Convention Centre. Held under the theme Navigating the Future of Journalism: Science reporting, AI and press freedom, the event brought together media professionals and science communicators to reflect on the evolving landscape of journalism.

In her address, entitled The Role of Journalism in Promoting Science, Dr Mosia stated “Bridging the gap between science and society is critically important. There is a need to communicate scientific knowledge in all of South Africa’s official languages to ensure inclusivity and meaningful impact. We must make science accessible to the very communities it seeks to benefit and strengthen collaboration between scientists and journalists to build a more informed and empowered public.”

The programme also featured a panel discussion including journalists, scientists and communicators, explored the evening theme further. Panellists engaged in thought-provoking conversations on the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, the role of journalists in advancing public understanding of science, and the imperative to safeguard press freedom in an increasingly digital world.

Notably, some of the challenges identified in bridging the gap between research and reporting included an overall shortage of dedicated science journalists, and the need to make science more relatable through storytelling. Another critical area of the discussion was around the need to make science accessible to the communities it seeks to benefit, by communicating it in all of South Africa’s official languages to ensure inclusivity and meaningful impact.

Panellists included Dr Jabu Mtsweni, Centre Manager: CSIR Information and Cybersecurity Research Centre; Dr Laurette Marais, CSIR Senior Researcher; Buhle Khumalo, Chief Director: Science Communications at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation; Sibusiso Biyela, Freelance Science Writer; and Zikhona Tshona, Award-winning broadcast journalist and National Press Club 2023 Journalist of the year.