New Guide Helps Journalists Communicate Science During Crisis
A new open-access guide, “How to communicate science in times of crisis? A friendly guide for journalists”, has been released by the European Competence Centre for Science Communication to support journalists reporting on emergencies and long-term crises.
The publication offers practical tips and a clear framework for journalists—especially those without a science background—who must cover complex events such as natural disasters, climate change, and the societal impacts of emerging technologies. It addresses the challenges of reporting under pressure, navigating scientific uncertainty, and communicating risk without causing panic or misinformation.
The guide emphasizes the importance of accurate framing, consulting diverse and credible experts, and maintaining public trust. It encourages journalists to be transparent, avoid alarmist language, and foster dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public. It is a concise and accessible tool that helps journalists better understand the complexities of science communication and improve their effectiveness.
Here you can read the introduction of the guide by Paola Rodari and Elisabetta Tola:
Earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, floods, and other natural disasters, along with the social impacts of AI and other emerging technologies, are no longer the exclusive domain of science reporters. In times of crisis, all journalists, including those not specialised in science and technology, are called to report quickly and accurately, often under pressure and with limited access to verified information.
The way journalists frame a story, the experts they choose to interview, and the messages they highlight can significantly influence how the public understands a crisis and how they respond to it.
Communicating during emergencies presents several challenges. One of the first is grasping the complexity of the scientific knowledge involved, starting with the meaning of “risk” in scientific terms, which often differs from its everyday use. Journalists also need to understand the multiple interests and perspectives at stake and be able to navigate them carefully and ethically. Another key challenge is identifying and giving voice to a diverse range of credible, independent experts while avoiding those with hidden agendas or conflicts of interest.
At the same time, journalists must deal with the intense emotions of affected communities and audiences, as well as the political dimension of the crisis, which increasingly includes polarisation, disinformation, and widespread distrust toward anything that is not openly aligned with a particular position.
All of this becomes even more complex when reporters face constraints within their newsrooms or work as freelancers,
with limited institutional support and scarce resources. This guide does not aim to solve the structural difficulties
of the profession. However, it offers a set of reflections and practical suggestions to help journalists of any background
approach science communication in times of crisis more effectively.
Key sections of the guide cover:
- Understanding crisis, complexity, uncertainty, and risk
- Pre-crisis preparation and building expert networks
- Best practices for real-time crisis reporting
- Post-crisis reflection and follow-up
- How to access support from the European Competence Centre for Science Communication
“How to communicate science in times of crisis? A friendly guide for journalists” is available for download at https://zenodo.org/records/15462313
This guide was developed by COALESCE, an EU-funded project that establishes and promotes the European Competence Centre for Science Communication. An even more comprehensive reference document, “Guidelines for non science journalists in times of crisis”, from which this friendly guide is derived, is also available for download (here).
