Science in the News: A Study of Reporting Genomics

Abstract

Scientists and academicians in the field of science writing agree that context and method are important components of research to be reported. This ideal is balanced by science journalists who try to relay findings with a minimum of complex and potentially confusing facts. Here, a specific report on genomics is traced from its original source in a scientific journal through to popular press publications. These data were examined in the context of previously published findings that have shown that the reader needs a clear understanding of the context of reported results to make an informed judgment about their meaning. This study reveals that these five reports, ranging from research article to popular press news article, differ in what is said rather than how it is said. This is surprising given the premise that in science reporting, the primary role of the journalist is to translate science into non-scientific language.

From the laboratory to prime time: science coverage in the main Brazilian TV newscast

“…In other countries, the lack of context-related information is also one of the main criticisms voiced with respect to science and technology coverage by general mass media, 46 as it is more difficult to understand the news when isolated facts are reported on. Meanwhile, running counter to this trend, the frame for scientific background was present in 19 news items (24,7%) and contextrelated information was conveyed in 51 news items (66,2%), a result that, for example, confirms the findings of the research by , 47 which analysed science coverage by newscasts in five European countries -France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the U.K. -and identified context-related information in 58,7% of the news items.…”

Science related information in European television: a study of prime-time news

“…Kua et al, 2004;Rogers, 1999;Rowan, 1999). This makes it more difficult for the audience to understand the meaning of the topic that is presented, since the viewers perceive each story as an isolated element, which they cannot integrate in a system of knowledge (Cantrill, 1993).…”

Política, cidadania e comunicação ‘crítica’ da ciência

“…Até que ponto o jornalismo pode contribuir positivamente para uma análise crítica e consciente da ciência pelos cidadãos e para a tomada de decisões de forma responsável? Kua, Reder & Grossel (2004) defendem que o jornalista de ciência deverá ter três tipos de papéis -o de 'intermediário', o de 'vigilante' (watchdog) e o de 'fornecedor de ferramentas' (tool-giver). O primeiro papel remete para a tarefa tradicional de 'tradução' da ciência para o público.…”