The Philippine print media was found to play a significant role in shaping public opinion on biotechnology. This was shared by Dr. Mariechel Navarro, Manager of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA) based on her presentation entitled “How print media defines crop biotechnology: A decade’s analysis of news coverage and framing”.

The study, led by Dr. Navarro, covered and analyzed biotech news articles from 1999 to 2009, in the three major newspapers in the Philippines: Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. It was found that 42 percent of the articles were written in positive tone, while the top source for biotech information was the government, followed by the civil society and the academe. Dr. Navarro also noted that the top keyword used in the articles was “GMO” or “GM” referring to genetically modified organisms, followed by words biotechnology.

Dr. Navarro concluded that there is now a more open relationship between writers and scientists, and that more interactions between the two (through field and laboratory visits) result to articles.

With this, science communication takes on a new responsibility, which, according to Dr. Navarro, is a process of generating new, mutually acceptable knowledge, attitude and practices.

For more information on biotechnology, visit http://www.bic.searca.org. (Sophia M. Mercado)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org