Communicating science - a job for journalists or scientists?
Participants at a Belgian Presidency conference on 'Public awareness of science and technology in Europe and its regions' in Brussels on 17 December agreed that communication between scientists and citizens should be improved, and that the media has a role to play in this. Whether scientists or journalists should be responsible for communicating with the public proved, however, to be a more contentious issue. 'Scientists can't and shouldn't try to communicate,' said one member of the audience. He argued that what needs addressing is the gap between scientists and communicators, not scientists and society. This view was, however, criticised by other participants, who argued that the translator does not transmit the passion for science, of which scientists are capable. Vladimir de Semir, professor at the UPF university of Barcelona and a journalist, adopted a conciliatory position, saying that the first step towards a dialogue between scientists and citizens is a relationship between scientists and journalists. A combination of the journalistic approach and the scientific approach, the first looking for a story and the second consisting of cautious statements, is necessary, he said. Suzanne de Cheveigne from CNRS (National centre for scientific research) in France has carried out research on how the public prefer to learn about science, and stressed at the event that 'there must be varied forms of talking about science', as some people prefer to hear scientists themselves talking, whilst others are much happier to receive information through the medium of a journalist. 'There is not one answer to what sort of programmes are necessary,' said Dr de Cheveigne. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, the majority of those who wish to learn more about science would like to do so through watching television. Yvan Ylieff, the Belgian Federal Government Commissioner attached to the Minister for scientific research said that what is needed is not a special channel dedicated to science programmes, but more popular scientific programmes, possibly financed by the EU. Vladimir de Semir highlighted the problem of the sensationalism of science by the media. 'There is competition for space or time, so the reporter is obligated to create sensational headlines. They must stir up emotions as do environmental catastrophes and murders as this is what they are competing with,' he said. He added that what appears in newspapers or on television as well as what is highlighted is often not decided by journalists themselves, who are at 'the bottom of the pyramid'. Illustrating the fact that only major science news makes the headlines, Mr de Semir cited reports that life had been found on Mars. This made front pages around the world, but subsequent reports that the research results may not have been accurate were not covered.
Kraje
Belgium