SESSION
Reporting under fire: science journalism in conflict zones and authoritarian regimes
In regions where war, political repression, or disaster collide with scientific misinformation, science journalists face grave risks. This session explores how journalists from Yemen, Lebanon and Nigeria confront censorship, security threats, and digital suppression to report public health, climate, and tech stories. They offer strategies for resilience and highlight the role of journalism in defending scientific truth and social justice.
Abdulrahman AbotalebSession proposer, producer and speaker | Yemen Science Network | Yemen
Abdulrahman Abotaleb is the editor-in-chief of the Yemen Science Network, and co-founder of the Yemeni Association of Investigative Journalists. He has co-led media and tech projects with Yemen News Agency, UNOPS, Internews, and ISOC.
Sara MatarSpeaker | The New Arab | Lebanon
Sara Matar is a media and communications professional with over 15 years of experience in journalism, PR, and project management. She works with The New Arab and Vision Of Women, and has held roles with Qatar Red Crescent and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Hussaini Garba MohammedSpeaker | Daily Trust newspaper | Nigeria
Garba Hussaini Mohammed is a multi-award-winning media professional and youth advocate with global experience in journalism, peace-building, and public service. He has spoken at major international forums, earned honours from organisations in over 10 countries, and was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador by the World Literacy Foundation in 2020.
Rich StoneModerator | Science | USA
Rich Stone is senior international correspondent for Science Magazine, where his writing has featured datelines from challenging reporting environments such as war-torn Ukraine, Iran, and China. He also serves as special advisor, science diplomacy and engagement for the Human Frontier Science Program organisation and is a consulting editor for HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. Stone is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, once in Russia in 1995-96, and in Kazakhstan in 2004-05. He has visited North Korea seven times and counting to report on science there. He has contributed to Discover, the Smithsonian Magazine, and National Geographic magazines, and is author of the nonfiction book Mammoth: The Resurrection of an Ice Age Giant.
Amr RagehSpeaker | Freelance | Egypt
Amr Rageh is a freelance science journalist and pharmacist focused on making health and science accessible. He has worked in medical content since 2017 and trained in science journalism across the MENA region and beyond.