This Article Full Text (PDF) Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Reed, R. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

(Un-)Professional discourse?: Journalists' and scientists' stories about science in the media

University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

The long-standing tension and conflicts between journalists and scientists surrounding the media reporting of science are explored in this article. Preliminary data were collected using video-taped focus groups with scientists and science journalists. Based on the analysis of this data, nine in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with three scientists, three science journalists and three news journalists. These data have been analysed thematically. Accurate, accessible and informative reporting is a major concern of all participants and not only scientists, although they are interpreted differently. Competing time frames and organizational and technological demands combine with incomplete understanding of power relations to exacerbate tensions. Journalists are inclined to expect scientists to change their attitudes. Scientists have the most to gain by change. The continuing conflicts and tensions are located in historically constructed occupational identities, particularly that of the scientist as 'modest witness'. The article concludes with some suggestions to improve relations between science and journalism.

Key Words: media sociology • professionalism • science journalism • sociology of professions

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Ruth, L. Lundy, R. Telg, and T. Irani Trying to Relate: Media Relations Training Needs of Agricultural Scientists Science Communication, September 1, 2005; 27(1): 127 - 145. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. P. MacDonald The Language of Journalism in Treatments of Hormone Replacement News Written Communication, July 1, 2005; 22(3): 275 - 297. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Charney Lone Geniuses in Popular Science: The Devaluation of Scientific Consensus Written Communication, July 1, 2003; 20(3): 215 - 241. [Abstract] [PDF]