The science journalist online: Shifting roles and emerging practices

Abstract

Science reporters today work within an evolving science media ecosystem that is pluralistic, participatory and social. It is a mostly online environment that has challenged the historically dominant and exceptional role of science reporters as privileged conveyers of specialist information to general audiences. We map this science media environment, drawing on interviews with journalists and writers from nationally prominent US and UK media organizations, describing the shifting roles and emerging practices of science journalists online. Compared to a decade ago, this occupational group, driven by economic imperatives and technological changes, is performing a wider plurality of roles, including those of curator, convener, public intellectual and civic educator, in addition to more traditional journalistic roles of reporter, conduit, watchdog and agenda-setter. Online science journalists have a more collaborative relationship with their audiences and sources and are generally adopting a more critical and interpretative stance towards the scientific community, industry, and policy-oriented organizations.

Expert interviews with science communicators: How perceptions of audience values influence science communication values and practices

“…In this landscape, science PR practitioners, bloggers and journalists all play roles in communicating scientific research, issues and events directly to readers online and offline as the traditional science journalism industry declines 10 . In fact, it is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate the roles and work of science PR writers, science bloggers and science journalists 10,11 . It is for these reasons that we maintain that these communicators, although they occupy different spaces in the science news ecosystem and come from diverse backgrounds in science, journalism and mass communication training, all more or less actively consider the interests and values of lay audiences.…”

Journalists and Communicators' Perceptions of Their Graduate Training in Environmental Reporting: An Application of Knowledge-Based Journalism Principles

“…This extant research highlights shortcomings in the reporting, such as lack of accuracy in scientific reporting, bias in the use of sources, struggles in balancing objectivity and advocacy, and the individual and structural factors that affect the reporting (Palen, 1999;Detjen et al, 2000;Sachsman et al, 2005;Crow and Stevens, 2012;Tandoc and Takahashi, 2014b). In addition, environmental and science reporters are experiencing changes in their perceived societal roles, especially within online news production (Fahy and Nisbet, 2011;Tandoc and Takahashi, 2014b). Fahy and Nisbet (2011) suggest that science journalists should take on the roles of knowledge brokers or information curators to differentiate themselves from other information producers (e.g., blog writers, scientists, and public relations professionals).…”

“…In addition, environmental and science reporters are experiencing changes in their perceived societal roles, especially within online news production (Fahy and Nisbet, 2011;Tandoc and Takahashi, 2014b). Fahy and Nisbet (2011) suggest that science journalists should take on the roles of knowledge brokers or information curators to differentiate themselves from other information producers (e.g., blog writers, scientists, and public relations professionals). But recent scholarship in journalism suggests that some problems specialty journalists experience are due not only to the volatile news environment in which journalists now work, but also to insufficient educational training.…”

HESS Opinions: Science in today's media landscape – challenges and lessons from hydrologists and journalists

“…Compared to traditional media, this new way of sharing information may, however, complicate the distinction between scientific results, opinions and user comments, while 30 presentation type, format and user comments become more important for the perception of scientific content (Brossard, 2013). From the science journalist's perspective, the rise of online media has replaced the journalists' main function as science translator and gatekeeper with more participatory and interactive roles such as public intellectual and educator as well as 'curator' of scientific information (Fahy and Nisbet, 2011 In light of the benefits of efficient science-media interaction, the aim of this commentary is to encourage scientists to participate in today's diverse media landscape. To facilitate this, we discuss the advantages and benefits as well as the potential pitfalls and aftermath of media interaction for scientists, with a focus on geoscience and hydrology.…”