A new guide aimed at helping aspiring science journalists in Turkey to cover scientific topics has been published.
‘Science Journalism in Turkey and Communicating Science to the Public’ (Türkiye’de Bilim Gazeteciliği ve Halka Doğru Bilim İletişimi) is the first Turkish science journalism guidebook for science journalists.
It was written by the science journalist and academic Dr. Gülsen Saray, and reviewed by editors and academics Prof. Dr. Akif Özer and Prof. Dr. Sefa Yüce.
The author, Saray, said: “This guide is a comprehensive resource for those navigating the dynamic profession of science journalism, and it highlights the importance and growth of science journalism in Turkey and Turkish-speaking countries. It will help ensure journalists produce higher-quality, more effective and impactful reporting which is a growing need driven by societal needs and technological developments.”
“The scope, context, and purpose of this guide are to offer practical advice to science journalists working in the field, drawing on the expertise and insights of contemporary and internationally successful science journalists and renowned science journalism institutions ... I hope it will be an interesting and useful handbook to valued media members, students who choose the field of science journalism, people working in government or corporate public relations departments, and academics.”
The guide was published by the Balkan Network of Science Journalists and the European Federation for Science Journalism and is available on the BNSJ website.
The initiative has previously brought science journalism guides to life in Croatian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Romanian, Albanian, and Bulgarian.
“This is another in a series of expert guides written by local authors in local languages to make them accessible and relevant to local audiences – journalists wishing to report about science,” said Mićo Tatalović, a board member of the Balkan Network of Science Journalists, who has been coordinating the project. “It is an ambitious, book-length guide that should be a useful reference for both practitioners and those interested in the theory and practice of science journalism.”
Publication of the guide was made possible through the support of EurekAlert!, a science news release platform operated by the non-profit American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
“EurekAlert! is humbled by the opportunity to help support journalists in the Balkans through this locally accessible project,” said Brian Lin, director of editorial content strategy at EurekAlert!. “Our thanks to everyone involved in producing this guide.”
Author bio:
Dr. Gülsen Saray is a science journalist and columnist. She holds a PhD in science journalism, MA in political science and public administration, and BSc in civil engineering. She speaks Turkish, English, and German at an academic level, and has also learned French and Ottoman Turkish. She is also a qualified scientist who has gained experience based on experiments in the construction materials laboratory.