Pretoria: Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has called for greater vigilance in how scientific knowledge is applied, particularly as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) become more pervasive. He emphasized the urgency of this vigilance in the context of AI being used for targeted killings of civilians and journalists, specifically mentioning the situation in Gaza.
According to South African Government News Agency, Nzimande's remarks came during his speech at the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) 2025, held at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. He cited alarming statistics from the International Federation of Journalists, which reported that since 7 October 2023, over 248 journalists and media workers have been killed. There are claims that the Israeli army has deliberately targeted journalists, and some of these cases are under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Nzimande questioned the role of science journalism in a world where countries continue to sell weapons to nations committing genocide and human rights violations. He underlined the importance of this year's conference theme, 'Science journalism and social justice: journalism that builds understanding and resilience', as a call to address global challenges like inequality, armed conflict, pandemics, and climate change. The Minister emphasized the need for science journalism to assess how science communication influences social attitudes.
Reflecting on the government's efforts, Nzimande highlighted South Africa's initiatives to promote science journalism, aimed at building a scientifically literate society. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation views science journalism as crucial for translating complex research into accessible information, enabling citizens to form independent views on science issues. The 2022 South African Public Relationship with Science survey found that television, the internet, and radio are the leading sources of science information in the country. To strengthen science journalism, the department partners with media outlets to place over 40 unemployed journalism graduates annually in science reporting roles.
Nzimande also underscored the significance of hosting the WCSJ 2025 in South Africa, marking the first time the event is held on the African continent. The conference coincides with South Africa's recent hosting of the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders' Summit, providing a platform to elevate discussions on science communication and its societal impact. The conference features a comprehensive program with three plenary sessions, 58 parallel sessions, and includes 21 field trips to explore South Africa's scientific landscape.
In conclusion, Nzimande highlighted the opportunity the conference presents to showcase South Africa and Africa's scientific and cultural landscape, reinforcing the country's status as a preferred destination for global conferences.