Science Communication, an Introduction by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science, Study & Teaching, Philosophy & Social Aspects
ISBN: 9789811209871
Google: Z3NfyAEACAAJ
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company Pte Limited
Published: 2020-02-19T23:14:30.770953+00:00

6.4 Roles of Science Journalists

In addition to functions of science journalism, science journalists may take on different roles. According to Fahy & Nisbet (2011), science journalists are performing a wide plurality of roles. Science journalists can have varied roles such as conduits and explainers, curators of information, civic educators, public intellectuals, agenda-setters, watchdogs, or conveners (pp. 786–789).

The agenda-setter identifies and calls attention to important areas of research, trends, and issues. The civic educator informs non-specialist audiences about the methods, aims, limits, and risks of scientific work. The conduits explain or translate scientific information in their reporting from experts to non-specialist publics. All three roles serve the informative function primarily. The public intellectual synthesizes a range of complex information about science and its social implications, which typifies the explanatory function. Finally, in relation to the investigative function, the investigative reporter carries out in-depth journalistic investigations into scientific topics. The watchdog holds scientists, scientific institutions, industry, and policy-oriented organizations up to scrutiny. The curator gathers science-related news, opinions, and commentary, presenting it in a structured format, with some evaluation. The convener connects and brings together scientists and various non-specialist publics to discuss science-related issues in public, either online or physically.

For an example, see Brüggemann (2017), who discusses how the roles of journalists who cover climate change has diversified over time. He finds that journalistic roles ‘have evolved from an objective to a more interpretive form of journalism’, where journalists give context to contrarian voices, for instance, ‘by pointing to their lack of scientific credentials’.

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