Scientists in the public sphere: Interactions of scientists and journalists in Brazil

Abstract

In order to map scientists' views on media channels and explore their experiences interacting with journalists, the authors conducted a survey of about 1,000 Brazilian scientists. Results indicate that scientists have clear and high expectations about how journalists should act in reporting scientific information in the media, but such expectations, in their opinion, do not always seem to be met. Nonetheless, the results show that surveyed scientists rate their relation with the media positively: 67% say that having their research covered by media has a positive impact on their colleagues. One quarter of the respondents expressed that talking to the media can facilitate acquisition of more funds for research. Moreover, 38% of the total respondents believe that writing about an interesting topic for release on media channels can also facilitate research publication in a scientific journal. However, 15% of the respondents outright agree that research reported in the media beforehand can threaten acceptance for publication by a scientific journal. We hope that these results can foster some initiatives for improving awareness of the two cultures, scientists and journalists; increasing the access of journalists to Brazilian scientific endeavors; stimulating scientists to communicate with the public via social networks.

Scientists and journalists, Glyptodontidae, and new dating of archaeological material from northeastern Brazil

“…Luisa Massarani and Hans Peters conducted a survey of about 1000 scientists working in Brazil, covering a great variety of fi elds, in order to get the perspective of researchers about their interaction with the media. As a general result of this study, it has become clear that the perception of scientists regarding this interaction is positive, despite the fact that not always their expectations are met (Massarani and Peters 2016). Such studies are welcome, and allied with others that tackle the general confi guration of scientifi c areas (e.g., Barata et al 2014) and that deal with hot topics such as research integrity (e.g., Vasconcelos et al 2015), might come in aid for policymakers to plan more effective ways to foster scientifi c development.…”

Aumentar o diálogo com a sociedade é uma questão de sobrevivência para a Ciência brasileira

“…A recent study showed that Brazilian scientists have participated in science communication activities, giving talks to the general public and interviews to the mass media 4 . But they have still not been sufficiently proactive to maintain a direct, constant dialogue with society and policymakers.…”

Os cientistas e os meios de comunicação de massa: um estudo de caso no Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

“…Esse comportamento de pouco engajamento por parte dos cientistas com a divulgação científica por meio da internet não é um fenômeno restrito ao IOC. De maneira semelhante, cientistas participantes da investigação nacional 17 demonstraram, em sua maioria, não utilizar blogs e redes sociais para falar de temas científicos com o público leigo, mesmo que 73,0% dos respondentes se declarem membros de alguma rede social online. Os autores dessa investigação apontam que, de acordo com o relatório da Agência de Marketing Digital 360i 34 , o Brasil se destaca como um dos países da América do Sul com maior quantidade de adeptos ao uso de redes sociais.…”

“…O questionário foi desenvolvido com base em investigações anteriores realizadas por Peters 22,23 e colaboradores 24 , traduzido para o português e adaptado à realidade brasileira em estudo similar de alcance nacional 17 . Respondido de forma anônima e composto por 36 questões, é necessário um tempo de aproximadamente 20 minutos para respondê-lo por completo.…”