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Abstract

As science confronts humanity in the 21st century as never before (Bohman 1999), most citizens of even the most liberal democracies know less about what is happening as a proportion of what is to be known than did their grandparents (McIlwaine 2004). More people than ever before recognise this and are seeking at least to have a say in what science is doing and wants to do. This paper will first review this growing demand for science democratisation among lay publics and identify it as a largely missed opportunity for journalism. On that basis, we suggest in the absence of of real forums for public voices in science issues, journalism is best positioned to provide such forums if it moves from its traditional practice of providing mere science facts to making them relevant to people’s life and engaging them in its issues. We will then conduct a secondary analysis of a 2007 Eurobarometer survey on science and the media to (a) investigate the socio-economic attributes and science news orientation and behaviours of those willing to participate in media-based science debates and (b) thereby identify possible ways in which journalism can intersect with their aspirations and resources.

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• Who wants a voice in science issues - and why? A European survey and its implications for science journalism. (deposited 03 Jan 2012 11:05)
  • Who wants a voice in science issues - and why? A European survey and its implications for science journalism. (deposited 01 May 2012 08:31) [Currently Displayed]