New Presidium for the SKWJ

For several years now, the Swiss Club for Science Journalism SKWJ has relied on a combination of German-speaking and French-speaking Swiss in the presidency. This tradition will be maintained: At the AGM in Geneva last week, Stephanie Schnydrig, science editor at CH Media, and Michael Balavoine, editor-in-chief of Planète Santé, were elected to head the association. Both had previously served on the board.

During the Corona pandemic, science journalism experienced a heyday, according to a statement. It is important that this appreciation continues in the long term. In times of artificial intelligence, global warming, the biodiversity crisis, and the increase in civilization-related diseases and mental illnesses, science journalists continue to need their critical and constructive voices. For this reason, the SKWJ is committed to sustainable, strong, high-quality and independent science journalism in Switzerland. "Equally close to our hearts is that the SKWJ offers a broad and exciting network that brings together journalists from all parts of the country and where aspiring female journalists can make their first contacts in science journalism," says Stephanie Schnydrig.

Schnydrig and Michael Balavoine replace Martin Amrein as president and Huma Khamis as vice president. Both Amrein, who works in the Knowledge department of the NZZ on Sundayand Khamis from the French-speaking Swiss radio station RTS were active on the board for a total of nine years, four of them in the presidency. Among other things, they advocated science journalism on behalf of the board in open letters and in various media appearances, pointing out its importance and the danger of too much mixing between PR and journalism.

In addition to Schnydrig and Balavoine, the board of the SKWJ also includes freelance science journalist Samuel Schläfli and Helga Rietz from the ETH AI Center. Marion de Vevey, science editor at the University of Lausanne, and Keystone SDA science journalist Céline Elber were also newly elected at the AGM.

There will also be a change in the General Secretariat: After six years, Christine D'Anna-Huber will pass on the baton to Emiliano Feresin, who will take over as Secretary General in October 2023.

The SKWJ was founded in 1974 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Today, the association has around 380 members. In addition to journalists, the SKWJ also has associate members from the communications sector.