Science, the news media and the public Thomas Abraham

What we will do today Examine the gap between science, the media and the public What is the role of a science journalist?

“Almost every American newspaper has an astrology column. Very few have a weekly science column. Today, half the American public doesn’t know that it takes a year for the Earth to rotate around the sun. Meanwhile, within two short generations, 50 percent of U.S. citizens will depend on science and technology for their living” Worlds Apart

Science and the media Often a troubled relationship; Journalists are not usually trained or prepared to write on science and scientists Editors are often unaware of science, and tend to look for stories that are sensational Scientists have no idea how journalists work and distrust the media Cannot communicate in simple language

“Scientists don’t speak English and journalists do not speak science” Worlds Apart “Science is slow, patient, precise, careful, conservative and complicated. Journalism is hungry for headlines and drama, fast, short, very imprecise at times.” Kathy Sawyer, The Washington Post

Sensationalism

Science is not perfect

What is the role of the science journalist ? To faithfully convey the latest scientific developments to the public?

What scientists would like to see ScientistsMediaPublic

Perhaps the most important source of strain between scientists and journalists lies in their differing views about the appropriate role of the press. Scientists often talk about the press as a conduit or pipeline, responsible simply for transmitting science to the public in a way that it can be easily understood. They expect to control this flow of information to the public as they do within their own domain. Confusing their special interests with general questions about the responsibility of the press, they are reluctant to tolerate independent analysis of the limits or flaws of science.” Dorothy Nelkin in Selling Science. How the press covers science and technology

What the media’s role should be Serving the public by accurately reporting on the latest scientific developments Providing informed scrutiny of scientists and scientific establishments, especially publicly funded science Creating space for informed public debate about scientific developments and controversies- eg cloning, GM food etc

Barriers Shortage of journalists who really understand science and the way scientists work Independence: Journalists need to know enough of how science works to intelligently assess scientific work At the same time, not identify with the scientific establishment, but be an independent voice serving the public

How do we learn enough science to report science? Not necessary to have a science background: even those who have degrees in science do not know every branch of science But you should be willing to learn: read, read read. Textbooks, online guides, backgrounders Talk to scientists, as them to explain their work Each time you do a story, you learn

How do we convince editors and the public? Good science stories need to link to broader, universal themes: who we are, where we live, where are we going, how do we live better.. We need to be skilled enough to understand the deeper themes of the stories we write, and pitch them well to editors, and write them interestingly for the public Be passionate about what you do!

Eurekalert