Gulf states in the Middle East are pouring millions of dollars into a scientific renaissance — yet journalists are failing to give these initiatives any critical assessment, leading science journalists in the region have said.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are all making huge investments in higher education, science and technology.
Yet questions such as whether these initiatives will actually help the poorest remain unasked, a plenary session at the 7th World Conference of Science Journalists in Qatar (27–29 June) heard today.
"The Middle East is now a very attractive place to report from about science," said Waleed Al-Shobakky, a science writer based in Qatar. "But journalists should have a critical sense to get a balanced story."