Science Journalism 101

Reana Lynn C. Ruiz

THC Senior Staff Writer
  Science is the systematic study of the
structure and behavior of the physical
and natural world through observation,
Science vs. experimentation, and the testing of
theories against the evidence obtained.
Journalism
 Journalism is the practice of gathering,
recording, verifying, and reporting on
information of public importance.
 • Observation &

Investigation
• Verification &
SCIEN Testing
JOURNALIS
CE • Reporting M
Findings
• Importance of
Evidence
  Science journalism refers to the practice of
reporting, analyzing, and communicating
scientific discoveries, developments, and
controversies to the public through various
Science media platforms such as newspapers,
Journalism magazines, websites, television, and radio.
defined  It involves translating complex scientific
concepts and research findings into
accessible language for a general audience,
while also maintaining accuracy, clarity, and
objectivity.
 A science journalist needs the following
skills:
 An interest in science
 Research proficiency
Science
Journalist  Effective writing abilities
 Analytical skills
 Fact-checking
 Neutrality and objectivity
General Principles of
Science Journalism
 Science You are a bridge between the
Journalism world of science and your
Principle 1 community.
 You do not have to understand
Science the whole of any field of
Journalism science yourself, but you must
Principle 2 not write anything you do not
understand.
 Although, the aim of scientists
Science is precision, the aim of
Journalism journalists is simplicity, there
Principle 3 should be no conflict between
the two.
 Most science will have human
Science applications. For every story,
Journalism you must ask yourself: “How
Principle 4 will this affect my readers’ or
listeners’ lives?”
 Some science such as
Science astronomy, has no impact on
Journalism our everyday lives, but is
Principle 5 interesting in what it tells about
our universe.
 Your readers or listeners
Science usually trust science. Often, in
Journalism
fields such as medicine, their
Principle 6
lives may depend on it.
  Science is a wide field of
knowledge, but each subject
usually has basic rules which
Build up basic govern it.
knowledge  If you understand these rules, you
will be able to work out the rest
of the topic, even though you will
not understand all the details.
  Science advance so quickly that
you must make it a habit to read
to be updated.
 Avoid textbooks which are too
Read widely.
complicated, and instead look for
refererences that would explain
their subject in simpleterms for
ordinary, non-scientific readers.
 Be especially careful about
scientists who say their work
will benefit mankind. In many
Dig for the cases it will, but in others it
truth.
may not.
You must question their claims
by asking probing questions.
 Both science and journalism are
Be skeptical. based on being skeptical and
questioning what others say.
  Scientific names of technical terms (sometimes
called jargon) are necessary for scientists. It
enables them to speak more accurately to one
another about the things they have in common.
 It is possible – and sometimes informative – to
Understand the include scientific terms in reports, as long as
jargon. they are explained immediately in words your
audience can understand. For example:
 Researchers in California say they have found a
new way of testing unborn babies for spina
bifida – a deformity of the spine which can
cause paralysis.
 Your audience will not like
long, boring explanations. This
Write brightly.
is why it is important to keep
your words clear and simple,
  RIGHT:
Pig farmers on New Ireland are battling an insect plague
which has already killed more than 500 pigs on the island.
The insect, which is related to the horse fly, has already
devastated herds in Africa and South East Asia.
The new species called penetrens lugoles lays its eggs in pigs'
ears. When the eggs hatch, the maggots burrow into the

Write brightly. animal's brain in search of food.

 WRONG:
Farmers on New Ireland are battling a plague of the new
insect species penetrens lugoles which is related to the horse
fly and has devastated large herds of pigs in Africa and South
East Asia and already killed 527 pigs on the island by laying
eggs in their ears which eventually hatch into maggots which
burrow their way into the animal's brain in search of food.
  To sensationalize means to state something in such a
strong and extreme way that it has an effect on
people's emotions.
 Sensationalizing science can often lead to harm by
falsely provoking strong emotions such as hope or fear
Do not in readers or listeners.

sensationalize.  If you then write that "scientists have found a cure for
cancer", it will raise the hopes of everyone with the
disease and all their relatives. When they discover that
they themselves cannot be cured, they will feel even
worse than before your story. You may even destroy
what little hope they may have had. It is a thing to do.
  Very few new scientific or
technological developments happen
by accident. Most are the result of
Give work over time. Discoveries may
background come suddenly, but they usually come
details. because a scientist is looking for
something anyway.
 Your job is to place all
developments in context.
  You need these kinds of background
details in most stories, because they help
your readers or listeners to understand
what has happened and how important (or
Give disappointing) the latest development is.
background  The background details should be written
details. as simply and clearly as the rest of the
story.
 They should be kept as short as possible
because your audience is mainly interested
in the latest news, not in history.
  Try to provide illustrations which will bring your
story alive.
 In newspapers and on television, pictures or
diagrams can say very quickly what it might take
you a thousand words to describe.
Illustrate your  Any captions must explain the picture, but they do
story. not have to explain the whole of the thing you are
describing.
 For example: You might use a picture of a new
coffee drying machine. Your caption can give
some details about the machine, but save your
explanations of how it works for the story itself.
 Before embarking on writing a story, it's
crucial to:
 Grasp the subject matter (while scientific writing doesn't
require expertise, it demands a researcher's
understanding).
 Confirm the authenticity of scientific data and sift through
Additional tips misinformation.
 Collect reliable information from credible sources.
 Analyze various sources for comparison.
 Identify suitable experts.
 Review existing research.
 Define the target audience.
 Tell us about the story.