Working with the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture, we assisted with developing and leading a two-week training program that exposed Indonesian journalists to the basic science of biotechnology and how to disseminate the information to the public in format that is easily palatable. The journalists visited corn and soybean farmers and biotechnology companies to enhance their ability to relay a positive message on biotechnology benefits. Through this program, journalists gained access to tools and resources to provide Indonesian citizens with a greater understanding of biotechnology benefits, which allows the Government to support policy, trade, and production of genetically engineered crops, and with the ability to safeguard biotechnology from being unnecessarily restricted by the agricultural sector.
- Leggette, H. R., Hall, S. T., & Murphrey, T. P. (2017). A case study of Indonesian journalists’ participation in a Cochran Fellowship Program focused on biotechnology and journalism. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 24(3), 52–66. doi: 10.5191/jiaee.2017.24305.
This project was supported by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.