Link: The tension between telling a story and telling readers what is going on
An article by Chip Scanlan at Nieman Storyboard displays an insider’s knowledge of the nut graf, the part of a journalistic article that explains to the read...
All posts tagged with journalism
Nobel Wikipedia lapse points to the holes in science journalism
This story from Marina Koren in The Atlantic about new Nobel laureate Donna Strickland has an important message: “One Wikipedia Page Is a Metaphor for the No...
Is Facebook killing science news?
I’ve observed that the coverage of genetics and evolution in mainstream media has become worse over the last several years. It seems that social media, espec...
Is Facebook killing science news?
I’ve observed that the coverage of genetics and evolution in mainstream media has become worse over the last several years. It seems that social media, espec...
Link: National Geographic looks at its history on race
NPR reports on National Geographic’s new issue devoted to the topic of race, and the way that the organization has examined its own history: “‘National Geogr...
Anonymous sexism in paleoanthropology
Seems like every week, someone writes an article drawing attention to a new episode of sexism in science. Today it’s my turn to shine a light on this issue.
Scientists' reasons for engagement with the media
Matt Shipman comments on why scientists choose to talk to journalists: “Seniority, Self-Confidence Predict Whether Scientists Will Work With Media”. He refer...
Anthropology's Spinal Tap problem
The Thesis Whisperer brings up the topic of prolonged rudeness in academic culture: “Academic assholes and the circle of niceness”. When I write that it’s ti...
Link parade
Here are some stories to entertain, amuse, or depress:
"The print edition of any article is little more than a trophy version"
Jack Hitt writing in the NY TImes writes some thoughts on the way that online post-publication commentary and review are changing the authority of scientific...
Against simplistic stories
Erika Check Hayden reflects usefully on an overhyped science story last week: “What the limits of DNA story reveals about the challenges of science journalis...
Should science reporting have a standardized checklist?
An interesting read this morning from Fiona Fox, chief executive of Britain’s Science Media Centre: “What If There Were Rules for Science Journalism?”
Good science writing helps make good science
More than most will admit, scientists today depend on good science writing. What they read is coming from other scientists, from bloggers and students, and f...