How SMC Can Help

In Malaysia, science-related topics often take a backseat in the local mainstream media platform, as the local media favours topics related to politics and crime, which fares better among the public. This could also be due to the small population of science journalists and science communicators or specialist writers as compared to other countries like the UK and the US.

As the world currently fights against COVID-19, one of our main challenges is battling with fake news and misinformation in which accurate scientific findings can combat. The lack of science journalists demands more scientists to support media organisations to translate their expertise into effective communication on global concerns and help eliminate the fear and misassumption based on unverified news and information.

To address these uncertainties, Science Media Centre (SMC) Malaysia in collaboration with Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) and The Petri Dish was established to offer a platform for scientists to share their expert opinions and findings on complex or controversial issues that are in the headlines.

For journalists, they get timely and relevant quotes gathered through our “Experts Reaction” and Q&A articles which aim to provide insightful analysis from across the research fields on new developments and emerging issues facing society. For example, in the case of COVID-19, SMC compiles scientists’ reactions and statements on COVID virus genomes, vaccines, etc.

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