Nzimande Warns of Rising Threats to Journalists as SA Opens Landmark Global Science Conference

JOHANNESBURG – South Africa this week opened the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) with a forceful call for stronger science reporting, ethical vigilance and global solidarity at a time when journalists face growing dangers and scientific knowledge is increasingly weaponised.

Addressing delegates at the CSIR in Pretoria, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande said hosting the event “is a profound honour” for South Africa, especially because it is the first time the conference is taking place on African soil. “For us, the 2025 World Conference of Science Journalists is special in several respects,” he said, noting its alignment with South Africa’s just-concluded G20 presidency and the anniversary of the SADC science journalism training initiative.

‘Science must serve humanity’

Nzimande centred much of his address on this year’s conference theme: Science journalism and social justice. He said journalists have a critical responsibility to connect scientific knowledge to society’s biggest challenges.

“Your chosen theme is particularly apt,” he told the gathered reporters, editors and researchers. “It calls for us to constantly examine the value of science by asking how it helps us address global challenges such as inequality, armed conflict, pandemics, climate change and environmental calamities.”

But the minister warned that science is not always used for good. He highlighted the rise of harmful technologies and the deliberate targeting of journalists in modern conflicts.

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“The call to be vigilant is particularly urgent today when we are witnessing the use of emerging technologies such as AI not only for the targeted killing of civilians in places such as Gaza, but also how the same technology is being used in the targeted killing of journalists,” he said.

He cited statistics from the International Federation of Journalists showing that since October 2023, more than 248 journalists and media workers had been killed. “They have evidence that the Israeli army has deliberately targeted journalists,” he said, underscoring the gravity of the crisis.

Bridging science and the public

Nzimande also highlighted South Africa’s growing investment in science communication and the need to ensure that communities can understand and apply scientific knowledge.

“Science journalism is an integral part of our Science Engagement programme,” he said. “We intend to build a society that is knowledgeable about science, is science literate and is able to form independent opinions on science issues.”

He said the country’s science journalists are already making progress. Findings from the 2022 Public Relationship with Science survey show that South Africans rely heavily on mainstream platforms for science content, with television at 60 per cent, followed by the internet at 52 per cent and radio at 51 per cent. “There is also something that science journalists in our country are doing right in their coverage of science,” he added.

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To further develop the sector, the department has placed more than 40 young journalism graduates annually in newsrooms nationwide. “Our Department provides their monthly stipends,” he said, emphasising the collaboration with SABC, News24, Power FM and 25 community stations.

Wider expectations for the global gathering

The conference features three plenaries, 58 parallel sessions, 196 speakers and 21 field trips, including visits to the Square Kilometre Array site. Beyond showcasing South Africa’s scientific landscape, Nzimande said he expects tangible outputs from the week’s discussions.

He urged delegates to produce “clear recommendations” on the role of science journalism in combating discrimination, fighting misinformation, applying AI ethically, addressing capacity gaps between the Global North and Global South, and building scientific diplomacy.

“Science journalism has a much bigger role to play in society,” he said. “Our responsibility is to encourage governments to embrace science-driven decision-making.”

A call to defend democracy and truth

In a pointed closing message, Nzimande said the stakes are high not just for journalists or scientists, but for the future of democratic societies.

“Science journalism has a vital role to play not only in building an appreciation for the value of science in society, but also in ensuring that we use science to build a just and humane world,” he said. With that, he formally opened the conference, telling delegates: “I wish you a productive conference and look forward to the outcome of your deliberations.”

As global instability grows and attacks on journalists rise, South Africa used this historic moment to push for a more ethical, accountable and people-centred approach to science and to remind the world that facts still matter, perhaps more now than ever.