Science Communication & Role of Media in Public Understanding of Science

Communicating Science To The People: Science journalism deals with bridging the gap between science and the public by reporting about science through scientific interactions, stories, and sharing developments in science with the audience. Some studies suggest that science and journalism are approached by one another as the media plays a crucial role in interactions between scientists and people. 

Role of Media in Scientific Communication: The media have a great emphasis on educating people with scientific information as the common people do not have direct access to science. Science communication is responsible for sharing, instructing, informing, and spreading awareness of science-related matters. The emphasis is on giving exposure to scientific methods rather than merely discoveries of science. 

Scientific knowledge and information help people to shape their mindset in a more practical manner relevant to today’s paradigms. It helps them to understand and implementing modern scientific changes in their lives. With the perspectives of various societies progressing towards science, it is expanding from the dynamic perceptions initiated by the public. 

Societal Outcomes of Scientific Development: Scientific information has a great impact on society. As the drastic changes in the media, work culture, housing, apparel, food habits, traveling, and the overall quality of lifestyle, science has created a change in the vision and general habits of humans. In 2020 we saw too many changes in a short period of time. 

Looking into the future we can expect more new changes as we are progressing towards normalcy from Covid-19. Trends like e-learning and work from home became widely popular in recent times. To keep up with modern scientific and technological trends could be difficult for several people. Therefore, the media plays a key role in bridging the gap between science and the public.

Communicating Outcomes and Influence of Scientific Research on Human Life: Science communication can be complicated more than just reporting science in an easy language for people’s understanding. Some diverse elements and goals are required to be conveyed in a proper format involving relevant scientists, researchers, experts, and organizations involving the subject. It comprises of some general practices that direct scientists and media to ensure credibility for the accuracy of knowledge, experiments, loyalty, goals, and transparency.

Media is supposed to maintain integrity in scientific research for developing an ideal environment and ensuring responsible reporting. Those details which may look doubtful while interpreting for the audience should be given if they have been a part of the scientific research in the context of transparency. There are plenty of researchers from the scientific community who try to communicate information to the people and government as well.  

Exposure to Science Among Non-scientists: People need knowledge on better food, environmental protection, or education. Mostly they don’t get time to explore scientific research to get a better understanding hence science reporting helps them to get exposure to the latest scientific trends that influence their lifestyle. For every human being, science is a lifeline - a right to education which provides them a foundation for healthy, informative, and sound development in the physical and mental aspects of their life.

Educating the masses with scientific developments is the need of the 21st century. Through science journalism, journalists try to emphasize science and get people to focus on the importance of scientific aspects in our life. We shouldn’t forget that science can be confusing and small alterations can change the entire understanding of the viewers hence journalists require research on the subject before publishing their reports or stories.

Relevance To The General Audience: Journalism and science share a similar base i.e. the idea that conclusions need evidence and the evidence should be available to all and everything can be subject to question. Science journalism can be considered as reporting of subjects that contribute to a scientific approach and methods which can be understood by the general audience.

Sometimes science journalists face criticism for publishing misleading reports and facts in their stories. They are also questioned for accuracy in their reports. Though with the modern fact check utilities and digital technologies enhancement in recent years, science journalists can ensure accuracy with the use of potential tools for validity before publishing, broadcasting, and streaming their content.