Re: SCIENCE, THE MEDIA, AND WHAT I ACTUALLY SAID

[pwillis@ozemail.com.au (Paul Willis)]

>I never said otherwise.  I said that the media is not reporting all sides and
>simply taking sound-bite quotes.  That's all.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Coming from the media myself (and having conducted a rather boozy Science
In The Pub on wednesday Night about science and the media), I'ld have to
say that if sound bites are all that the media is offered, that is all they
are going to take. Don't just blame the media for poor reporting standards
for science. In my experience the fault is a balance between poorly
communicating scientists and simplistic journalism. The job can be done
properly but it takes effort from both sides. Pointing the finger at one
side will achieve nothing.

I don't bring this point up as some kind of juvenile defence of journos but
as a warning to the scientist on the list to think carefully when they
approach the media. Despite the stereo types, journos are not thick. More
often they are over committed. If you can't get you story into a
prepackaged form before you approach the media, they will have problems
handling it and mistakes will occur.

Take it easy out there!


Cheers,

Paul


Dr Paul M.A. Willis
Consulting Vertebrate Palaeontologist
Quinkana Pty Ltd
pwillis@ozemail.com.au

If smoking kills, how come it cures salmon?