NOPR Collection:

Science film-making for science communication – A study of filmmakers’ perspectives in India

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Science film-making for science communication – A study of filmmakers’ perspectives in India Authors: Kapoor, Nimish; Singh, Shambhu Nath Abstract: Film-based communication is a dynamic medium of engagement with the society due to its unique synthesis of audio and video systems. In the fast-changing world where digital media and social media are slowly but steadily starting to influence our thought process, Film and Television still reign supreme and significantly influence the public sphere. These media have been in the forefront in our endeavours to communicate science to the people. Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India started a National Science Film Festival of India (NSFFI) in 2011 with the objective to promote science film-making in India. The broad objective of science films-based communication programmes is to inculcate scientific temperament in Indian society through science films and develop a science film culture in the country. Here the role of science film-makers is crucial. The present paper analyses the viewpoint of science film-makers who attended NSFFI 2018, their preparedness, requirements, challenges faced by them, and conditions of science film (video) making in India.
The term science film/s used in the paper indicates video/s (documentary or non-fiction formats) on science, technology & innovation, environment, health and issues like global warming, pollution, biodiversity loss, wildlife, etc., under the domain of science. Page(s): 8-37

Communicating science through newspapers: A comparative study between national & regional newspapers of Nagaland

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Communicating science through newspapers: A comparative study between national & regional newspapers of Nagaland Authors: Baruah, Shivajyoti Das Abstract: Communicating science in today’s world has been a very important aspect of communication. With proliferation of different technological advancements, science communication is very important as modern lifestyle is intricately related with gifts of science. Another important aspect of science communication is the development of scientific temperament. Here media plays a pivotal role.
Concentrating on newspapers, the study tries to find out how science is reflected in newspapers of Nagaland. The paper summarizes the study of how science is being communicated, what types of science items are getting preference, in what formats science items are being published in the newspapers. With an in-depth content analysis, the study makes a comparison study between national and regional newspapers of Nagaland. Taking two national newspapers along with three regional newspapers for a duration of three months, the paper discusses about various issues of science communication. Page(s): 38-60

Fake news and information in Social Media: Problems and challenges, the case in Indonesia

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Fake news and information in Social Media: Problems and challenges, the case in Indonesia Authors: Sastrosubroto, Ashwin Sasongko; Pratama, Surya Abstract: The use of social media in Indonesia currently shows tremendous growth together with increasing Internet penetration. However, along with this growth, fake news in Indonesian social media is also currently showing rapid growth. Social media is being increasingly used to form and signify public opinion. This information trend has been highly used by some public organizations.
Several approaches have been taken to avoid the problem of fake news: socialization through media and group discussions; technical approach mainly by identifying and then blocking the fake news by using crawling engine Cyberdrone 9; and legal approach based on the Electronic Information and Transaction Law which prohibits fake news.

Some problems however still exist:
· The huge quantity of news in social media makes it difficult to be tracked.
· It is difficult to identify and find those who make fake news if foreign IP addressses or foreign Top Level Domains are used.
· Although the content in a particular social media has been blocked, it might have been copied and distributed through Intermessaging Services such as WhatsApp, etc.
To overcome the above problems, it is important to promote self identification of fake news by the communities. Page(s): 61-68

Science Communication for Mathematics

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Science Communication for Mathematics Authors: Mishra, Kumar Gandharv Abstract: Mathematics plays an integral role in scientific developments but unlike other domains such as physical and biological sciences, the role of mathematics often appears implicitly. It is important that such aspects become part of science communication. On the other hand, Mathematics is quite infamous for its ‘phobia’ and it is also known as the ‘killer’ subject. Such perceptions still exist in society.
Since newspapers are a powerful medium of mass communication in society, it is crucial that aspects of mathematics or news related to mathematics are presented in a rightful manner. The responsibilities lie with professionals like reporters, content writers or journalists working with newspapers. Their understanding about mathematics plays an important role in the manner in which such news is communicated to the public. Thus, mathematics needs an important space in science communication – firstly to dispel the false notions and perceptions about mathematics in society and secondly to popularise aspects of mathematics in a lucid manner so that the public understands the role of mathematics and appreciates it.
In the paper, the author argues why responsible science communication is important for mathematics. It discusses some examples of portrayal of mathematics in print media, especially in the context of Indian newspapers. Page(s): 69-75