Why it's important for journalism to speak to science, and vice versa
In a world where science enters the life of society daily due to pandemics, climate change, and artificial intelligence, understanding scientific processes and methods is crucial. Therefore, the relationship between science and journalism must improve, playing a vital role in facilitating this societal process.
The intricate relationship between science and journalism shapes our understanding of the world. This is not only because journalism acts as an essential bridge between the worlds of science and society. The importance of effective communication between these two realms is increasingly evident as society grapples with complex global challenges requiring informed public participation.
Collaboration between researchers and journalists can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure that research findings are presented precisely and engagingly. Journalists can contribute to making research processes transparent, preventing misconceptions that lead to misguided beliefs about the nature and infallibility of science. Instead, they can raise awareness of critical scientific issues such as climate change, pandemics, or technological developments, fostering a greater understanding of global challenges and the opportunities presented by research. This aims to reduce the gap between science and society in an increasingly interconnected world.
Within the ENJOI project, Anne Dijkstra from the University of Twente coordinated a working group focused on the relationship between science and media. During the ENJOI final event, Dijkstra stressed that their analysis revealed two fundamental aspects. The first pertains to a change in the media landscape, specifically the increasing difficulty for journalists to sustain their profession due to reduced funding and limited possibilities to produce news effectively. On the other hand, a trend of the "medialisation" of science is emerging, indicating that scientists and researchers are more inclined to collaborate with journalists in the public domain, showcasing an interest in presenting their research and engaging in outreach.
«So it's important that journalists and scientists understand each other's needs better, and when they interact, it's also good to find out their perspectives beforehand» says Dijkstra. «What does a journalist expect from a researcher in a production or in a product? And what does the researcher expect from the journalist? Because often, they have different perspectives or different expectations, and that is what sometimes causes problems or tensions in their relationship. Journalists should try to find new ways of producing news and doing that together with researchers while keeping their independent position.»
Eva Rodriguez, a journalist for the scientific news agency Sinc in Spain, during the ENJOI final event also highlighted the importance of increasing the presence of science and research in the media. Within this framework, Sinc's goal is to promote collaboration between the parties, creating a community of journalists and researchers who believe in and trust each other - a crucial step to build effective communication and trustrowrthy relationship with the public.