image: Authors of the guide
Credit: Goran Lefkov
A new practical guide aimed at helping aspiring science journalists in North Macedonia to cover scientific topics has been published.
‘Science, technology and research - practical guidelines for modern journalism’ (Наука, технологија и истражување - практични насоки за современото новинарство) was written by two experienced reporters from Bulgaria, who provide helpful insights from their own experiences of many stories they have reported over the years.
The focus of the guide is in technology journalism, and investigative journalism as applied to science, the environment and health/medicine.
The guide was published by the Balkan Network of Science Journalists and the European Federation for Science Journalism and is available on the BNSJ and EFSJ websites.
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).
One co-author of the guide, investigative journalist Goran Lefkov, said: “This guide is very important for journalists in North Macedonia because it uses Macedonian conditions for writing science journalism stories. Mixing investigative journalism techniques with science journalism topics should provide a good basis for impactful science stories in the future. The guide will be applicable for journalists in North Macedonia and will give additional knowledge and value for media workers in North Macedonia.”
The other co-author, technology journalist Bojan Stojkovski, said: “Technology has become an inseparable part of our daily lives, and journalism is no exception. As we witness the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, AI literacy will also become an essential component of journalistic practice. With this guide, we aim to lay the groundwork for the next generation of journalists, and we hope that, through their own experiences in the years and decades ahead, they will build upon it and help shape new directions for the profession.”
“EurekAlert! and AAAS believe deeply that independent journalism is vital to democracy and an accountable scientific enterprise,” said Brian Lin, director of editorial content strategy at EurekAlert!. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support this practical guide in the North Macedonia context.”
The initiative has previously published science journalism guides, some of them also first of their kind, in Croatian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Romanian, Albanian, Bulgarian, and Turkish. The next one planned is in Greek.
“We continue to produce helpful guides for people in the wider Balkan region who want to learn about science journalism, enter the profession, or just improve their current practice,” said Mićo Tatalović, a board member of the Balkan Network of Science Journalists, who has been coordinating the project.
“The strength of these guides is that they are produced by experienced local journalists who understand the media picture in their country and provide relatable tips from their own experience while also drawing on best international practice.”
The wider initiative has also been organizing science journalism seminars in the region, specifically in Zagreb (2023), Ljubljana (2024), and Belgrade (2025). This year’s seminar will take place in September in Prishtina, Kosovo.
Author bios:
Goran Lefkov has been an investigative journalist for almost 20 years. He started investigative journalism in 2008, and since 2013 he has been part of the Center for Investigative Journalism SCOOP Macedonia. After 10 years of experience as a journalist in this organization, he became its president in 2023. He has more than 100 short documentaries behind him on the topic of the fight against corruption. He is also one of the founders of the Balkan Network of Science Journalists. He also participates in many initiatives as a human rights activist.
Bojan Stojkovski is a freelance journalist who has been covering technology and science topics in the Western Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe for more than a decade.