Dumbing It Down | Illumination

For the larger story, however, Logan did encourage students to learn as much as possible about scientists on different paths. "I believe the bigger story -- the development and status of robust theories to explain autoimmune disease -- is worth a separate telling," Logan says. "While competitive, it is not controversy."

Journalists with science backgrounds are especially desirable when contextual stories are appropriate, Logan says. But, he adds, training as a scientist is certainly not necessary to reporters looking to move away from the conflict frame, especially in its mindless iteration of "on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand" objectivity.

Journalism researchers have, in fact, identified many storytelling frames for science reporters. One such researcher is Susanna Hornig Priest, who tracks coverage of biotechnology from the Texas A&M master's program in science journalism.

In 2003, Priest collaborated with Toby Ten Eyck, a former radio journalist teaching at Michigan State University, to identify eight "frames" based on science journalism from the presses of multiple nations. Among them were Progress: How is the growth of biotechnology an advancement of existing knowledge? Economic: What financial developments are related to new drugs and crops? Ethics: What role, if any, should humans play in tinkering with genetics? Pandora's Box: What are the consequences of technological advancement? Runaway technology: Do we really know where science is headed? Nature/nurture: Are we moving toward designer babies and alterations of other plant/animal species? Public accountability: Who is regulating biotechnology research? And finally, globalization: Which scientists are doing what around the world, and how will their work affect us here?

These frames, when emphasized by journalism educators, could go a long way toward ending the dumbing-down trend. But Cameron and others caution that the burden of creating better science reporters should not fall on journalism educators alone. Scientists themselves have a role to play by providing accessibility and patience.

Cameron and Geana's survey demonstrates that too often both of these qualities are in short supply. "How easy is it for science journalists to find science resources and stories?" they ask. Not very, is their conclusion.

This seems ironic, given Cameron and Geana findings showing high confidence and strong respect among science journalists for the expertise and integrity of scientists. But researchers don't avoid journalists because reporters don't like them. They shy away because they fear stories won't be accurately reported. Some are also concerned that departmental colleagues will view press coverage as self-promotion.

For their part, journalists hope intelligent, conflict-free, science reporting will change all that. Already there are indications this is happening. Source and reporter relationships are improving, says Ricki Lewis, one of the nation's most prominent science writers. "The best scientists return your calls."

Published by the Office of Research.