By Professor Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim
The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t just a public health crisis; it was an unprecedented stress test for science communication. In Malaysia, as the government scrambled to source vaccines and devise a rollout strategy, a parallel battle raged: the battle for public understanding and trust. In this crucible, science journalism didn’t just report the news – it became a critical, often beleaguered, mediator between complex science, anxious citizens, and pressured policymakers. Its performance, a mix of vital service and exposed vulnerabilities, holds crucial lessons for future crises.
When the first Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac approvals landed, Malaysians weren’t just asking “When?” but “How?” and “Is it safe?” mRNA technology? Viral vectors? Efficacy rates against variants? These were alien concepts to most. Here, rigorous science journalism played an irreplaceable role as translator. Outlets like CodeBlue, The Star’s dedicated science sections, Malay Mail, and segments on Astro Awani and BERNAMA TV stepped up.
Demystifying the science was central. Explaining how vaccines work in accessible language, differentiating between vaccine types, clarifying how efficacy trials functioned, and contextualizing rare side effects (like VITT) against the overwhelming benefits were the key messages. Amidst a deluge of misinformation – from microchips to infertility claims – credible science journalists became trusted filters. Fact-checking initiatives became essential armour for the public. Reporting daily cases and deaths was one thing; explaining R-naught values, ICU capacity strain, and the real-world effectiveness of vaccines as data emerged was another. This contextual reporting helped the public understand the why behind shifting SOPs.
Science journalism didn’t operate in a vacuum; it directly interacted with the policy sphere. Journalists investigated and reported on bottlenecks in the MySejahtera registration system, disparities in vaccine access (urban vs. rural, migrant communities), logistical hiccups, and the initial slow pace. This reporting applied public pressure, forcing the JKJAV (Special Committee for COVID-19 Vaccine Supply) to adapt, clarify, and accelerate processes. Transparency, often extracted by persistent journalism, was crucial for maintaining public cooperation.
Reporting on vaccine hesitancy wasn’t just descriptive; it diagnosed the roots – religious doubts, safety fears among specific demographics, distrust fuelled by past scandals. This provided vital feedback to policymakers and the Ministry of Health (MOH), informing targeted public communication campaigns and religious endorsements (fatwas) supporting vaccination. While challenging, investigative pieces questioned procurement choices, pricing transparency (or lack thereof), and the rationale behind prioritization phases. This scrutiny, though sometimes met with defensiveness, was essential for democratic oversight during an emergency where executive power was significantly expanded.
There were challenges faced by science journalism. This vital role was played under immense pressure and against significant headwinds. Social media platforms were flooded with misinformation spreading faster than any variant. Journalists fought a constant, exhausting rearguard action. Discussions around vaccine choices (especially Sinovac vs. mRNA) became politicized. Journalists faced pressure from various factions and had to navigate accusations of bias from all sides. Ensuring consistent, timely access to key scientists and transparent data from authorities was often a struggle. Building and retaining specialized science journalism expertise within newsrooms, especially under financial strain, remained a challenge. The demand for instant updates sometimes clashed with the need for careful verification, particularly with pre-prints and rapidly evolving data.
The pandemic underscored that robust, independent science journalism is not a luxury, but a critical piece of national infrastructure. To strengthen its role for future challenges, Malaysia must consider:
1. Investing in Expertise: Media outlets and funders must prioritize training and retaining specialized science and health journalists. Universities should offer dedicated science communication programs.
2. Building Trust Proactively: Scientists, policymakers, and journalists need stronger, more transparent relationships before crises hit. Regular briefings and open data channels are essential.
3. Amplifying Fact-Checking: Dedicated resources for collaborative fact-checking networks and promoting media literacy among the public are vital defences against misinformation.
4. Protecting Independence: Ensuring journalists can operate without fear or favour, holding all parties accountable, is fundamental to their credibility and effectiveness.
5. Leveraging Diverse Voices: Ensuring science journalism reflects Malaysia’s diversity and effectively reaches all communities in accessible languages and formats.
During Malaysia’s COVID-19 vaccination saga, science journalism emerged as the indispensable interpreter. It stood between bewildering scientific complexity and public anxiety, between policy pronouncements and ground realities, between truth and dangerous falsehoods. While imperfect and operating under duress, its role in building vaccine confidence, informing policy adjustments, and countering deadly misinformation was demonstrably crucial.
The lesson is stark: neglecting science journalism weakens societal resilience. As Malaysia rebuilds and prepares for future health and environmental challenges, investing in a stronger, more resilient, and fiercely independent science journalism ecosystem isn’t just about better reporting – it’s about safeguarding public health, ensuring informed policy, and ultimately, protecting lives. The pandemic proved that when science speaks, we desperately need skilled, credible journalists to ensure the public, and the policymakers, truly understand.
The author is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya.