The Group’s Work
At its first meeting in June the Science and the Media Group agreed to focus on four themes. They are:
- Science Journalism Training
Science stories are often covered by specialist science reporters who have some background in the subject their writing about, but this isn’t always the case. How can we give the many non-specialists, sub-editors and editors the support needed to identify the best science stories and understand the specific issues involved in quality science reporting?
- Science Programming
67% of people in the UK get some of their knowledge of and interest in science from television yet, whilst daily viewing figures are fairly constant, that audience is shared between more and more channels – changing the landscape of TV. How can we support the production of accurate and engaging science programmes which reach the largest and most diverse audience possible?
- The Future of Science Journalism
All types of journalism are increasingly squeezed by falling circulation and diminishing advertising revenue, yet journalists asking the right questions is vital in scrutinising science and engaging people with it. How can this vital function be performed in the digital age? Should we be supporting traditional sources of journalism or creating our own?
- Transparency
Despite huge strides towards scientists being ever more open with the media, journalists sometimes struggle to get access to scientists and complex scientific information, especially from inside Government and Industry. Are there more leaps we can make towards enhancing openness?
Good progress has been made in each of the areas, with the group meeting as a whole to discuss Training and Programming. Minutes of these meetings can be found on this page. If you would like to know more, please email the Science and Society Team.
