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Science in newspapers and on the web
Written by, Daniel Aleksovski (CGE, CEO) Science portrayed in the media has significantly changed over the past couple of decades. Science in the past was commonly depicted for the superior and more sophisticated audience, with very little awareness towards the ordinary working citizens. Today science has taken a more social approach in the media allowing majority of the readers to engage with scientific processes and concepts. Science in newspapers, within Australia, presently illustrates an awfully small approach towards scientific values and ideas. Approximately 2% of the total newspaper contains articles directly related to scientific literature. Anna Salleh, a PhD candidate in Science Technology and Society, established an article concerning the way in which science is presented in the media. Just recently I cut out three scientific articles from The West Australian. The following articles include; US stemcell research finding draws fire (Davies, 2009), Tooth decay not linked to bottled water: study (O’Leary, 2009) in addition to $3b telescope offers WA a rate bonanza (Hopkin, 2009). Exploring Salleh’s article on science in the media: the good, the bad and the ugly in addition to the key issues demonstrated we shall investigate the ways in which these three recent science articles juxtapose to the principles discussed in Salleh’s piece of writing. 
One of the key principles revealed points out that journalists tend to portray science in terms of being good or bad (sometimes both). Journalists enjoy entertaining or informing readers rather than educating. This explains why most science articles in the media are light and easily digestible for the majority of the audience, who are not science professionals. Readers enjoy reviewing conflicts and tensions between two or more points of view, hence why journalists favour an article that establishes conflict or creating dramatic tension. Constructing conflict allows the reader to craft his or her own judgements concerning the ‘real’ truth of the matter. In the first article regarding stemcell research, Davies, constructed a conflict between to major sides, religion and science. Religious leaders have condemned stemcell research since the beginning of science. On the other hand, scientists have argued that stemcell research is crucial in developing new vaccines for diseases and cancers faced in modern society. Both religion and science affects more or less everyone around the world, for this reason each reader will be drawn in to make their own judgements concerning a frequent controversial theme of ‘religion verse science’. The article contains a human angle, where quotes from experts in both fields help distinguish the good and bad impacts of stemcell research. Salleh explains that one of the key principles concerning science articles is ensuring that there is a human angle, or personal values, that are taken into account to enrich reader commitment. Science is portrayed as equally good as well as evil in this article. President Barack Obama is just one of the influential people who support stemcell research in order to improve human life. On the other hand, religious leaders from the Vatican as well as conservative Republicans condemn stemcell research and argue that such actions are immoral. Seeing as journalists have time along with space constraints when writing such newspaper articles, it is apparent that many scientific processes are neglected. For instance, this article concerning stemcell research fails to emphasize the meaning in addition to processes involved behind stem cells. To an extent this article poses as a breakthrough in science in the United States, as it now enables more in-depth research for experts – promoting greater achievements and breakthroughs. In a classroom environment such an article can be used to promote debates concerning stemcell research in addition to discovering the advantages and disadvantages of stemcell research. Most scientific articles in the press are valid for decades to come, as they can be used to compare ideas and values to earlier times in order to gain a better understanding on how science has changed plus what impacts have occurred due to such alteration. 
Salleh identified that most science articles in the media are generally related to recent discovers or else confirmations concerning scientific issues. The second article, tooth decay not linked to bottled water: study, written by Cath O’Leary, clearly identifies a confirmation backed up by modern scientific research. The conflict constructed in this article reveals that bottled water could be harming young children, as it contains greater levels of Fluoride, which as a product destroys the enamel coat around your teeth, consequently resulting in tooth decay. Miserably the intensity and history following tooth decay as well as fluoride effects are not viewed in this article. Most articles in newspapers contain photos or images connected to the topic, this aids to engage the reader in a visual approach. In scientific journals or textbooks images help assist the reader in understanding a particular topic or issue. In this particular article the photo displayed covers more than 50% of the articles allocated breathing space. Disturbingly the photo contains no direct relation to scientific literature. Instead of presenting a diagram of a tooth being decayed due to an excess intake of fluoride, the media have as an alternative placed a more ‘personal approach’ by screening a mother and her three children smiling. Not only is this photo invalid to an extent, it also takes away a lot of potential space concerning the history and in-depth context of this issue. Nevertheless, when it comes to Salleh’s principles it is clear that a human angle on a story encourages greater engagement from the reader. Voicing in articles has also enabled O’Leary to depict reasons why bottled water is normally portrayed as being ‘bad’ while tap water is commonly listed as being ‘good’. In an educational viewpoint this issue can help introduce the significance of regulating dietary intake. In regards to science this subject can be linked to the structure of a tooth and the importance of maintaining healthy teeth (or rather protecting teeth). Students can also be encouraged to take this issue onboard and develop further research in order to identify which bottled drinks decompose teeth more rapidly. This could be an experiment designated over a period of a couple of weeks, to give students enough time to observe and record their findings in a cohesive environment. 
Finally, the third article written by Michael Hopkin titled, $3b telescope offers WA a rare bonanza, describes how Western Australia could be hosting the worlds largest telescope plus supercomputer. This article is rather a breakthrough for astronomy and impacts Western Australia immensely, both scientifically and economically. The article illustrates how this project will evidently establish more jobs in Western Australia as well as attract international investments. The article appears to be heading in a solitary direction, identifying the project as a triumph with no direct opposition. Peter Quinn, physics professor at UWA, is exposed by the writer as being the professional in the field, with a variety of statements issued in the article supported by Prof. Quinn. Hopkin has obviously used as much of the allocated space as possible to go into immense detail concerning the project, including measurements, scales, diagrams along with digital photos depicting what this project may perhaps appear after being constructed. Due to constraints journalists need to ensure that as a rule their articles include information about who, what, where, when, why and how within the first few lines. This is the basic information which is required in order to enable the reader to process their own judgements concerning the discussed issue(s). If space permits additional information then journalists usually include quotes, in-depth research, statistics, superior detail and context. Unmistakably the method in which Hopkin presents this article permits the reader to see every bit of information under subheadings within the diagram, with greater features articulated within the content. Science departments around Western Australia provide very little focus on astronomy in upper year levels. Perhaps in lower secondary teachers are able to explore ways in which they could teach astronomy. Science is perceived as way of exploring ideas and testing these theories in a practical environment. To teach astronomy it is essential for students to spend the majority of their time exploring the skies in a practical setting. On the other hand due to lack of financial support schools are unable to acquire material such as telescopes. The increase in newspaper articles concerning astronomy in Western Australia has significantly increased, largely due to the SKA project. Teachers could embrace these articles in order to assist in introducing astronomy plus the importance of exploring our skies in order to assess evolutionary theories along with potential collisions facing our planet. These articles juxtaposed with earlier articles could be used to depict how astronomy over time has transformed and how our understanding of the skies has evolved. 
References Davies, A. (2008, April 27). US stemcell research funding draws fire. The West Australian, pp. 22. Elliott, P. (2006). Reviewing Newspaper Articles as a Technique for Enhancing the Scientific Literacy of Student-teachers, University of Warwick, United Kingdom, 65-85. Hopkin, M. (2008, April 27). $3b telescope offers WA a rare bonanza. The West Australia, pp. 12. Koulaidis, V., & Dimopoulos, K. (2003). Science and Technology Education for Citizenship: The Potential Role of the Press. Department of Education, University of Patras, 49-64. O’Leary, C. (2008, March 3). Tooth decay not linked to bottled water: study. The West Australian, pp. 17. Salleh, A. (2001). Science in the media: The good, the bad and the ugly. Australian Science Teachers Journal, 47(4), 28-97. |
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