It's no secret -- science coverage in the mainstream media is less than stellar, partly because of the rarity of reporters who are versed in science, and partly because the various newspapers and television news programs see any kind of news as an opportunity to grind whatever political axe they happen to favor.
Of course, some science news items are seemingly tailor-made for this: global warming, evolution, cryptozoology, extraterrestrial beings, and lately the controversially-named God particle (the boson) being specific examples.
Of course, news programs like people to make unequivocal statements, rather than seemingly hedge, like scientists are trained to do.
Then there's the confusion of correlation and causality. Reporters jump to conclusions too readily about this. So there's a lot of science reporting off the top of peoples' heads.
This is a true classic!!
ReplyDeleteYou have to click on it to see it all. :(
ReplyDeleteThe game of 'telephone' played by the information cycle.
ReplyDeleteAnd as I just found out via the Internet (so you know it's true) the game was originally called 'Chinese whispers'.
Like the message that gets garbled as it gets passed from person to person.
ReplyDeleteBut beware, the US media is the worst in the world. They got for ratings and profit, not to deliver the facts.
Science news on television is worthless, but WHNT doesn't do bad.
ReplyDeleteTelevision news is only good for covering fatal accidents, or strip joints getting raided.
ReplyDelete