Cruislines and human waste in the ocean
PeterSal
Sensationalism and denialism in science media dsl 100
How is science portrayed to the public?
2
Scientific Literacy o We began this term with a discussion about
scientific literacy and why it’s important to society
o For our last week, we are going to cover two areas in which science and the public intersect: o Portrayal of scientific findings in the media o Scientific denial
3
Sensationalism in the media o Sensationalism definition:
o Extraordinary claims are made about scientific findings or the interpretations of scientific findings
4
Examples Journal article title
News article title
5 washingtonpost.com/ From Perkins, 2007
Examples Journal article title
News article title
6 badgerherald.com/ From Perkins, 2007
Examples Journal article title
News article title
7 content.time.com/ From Perkins, 2007
Why might these articles be problematic? o In this example, these news articles are
discussing homosexuality in sheep o But, the original article was focused on the biology
of the brains in male-male behavior of sheep o Other news articles inaccurately portrayed
homosexuality as an illness o One article even suggested that the results from
the original study could help scientists to “cure” homosexuality
o These articles assigned a cultural value that the original article did not have
8
So, why is sensationalism bad? o In biomedical research, sensationalism can:
o Lead to marginalization of a minority group (as seen in the previous example)
o False hopes with regards to health o Unnecessary fears with regards to health o Can also lead to desensitization with respect to
real scientific breakthroughs o If every article boasts miracle cures or dire risks, the
public’s interest may begin to wane
9
Another example o In 1995, it was reported that those taking a
certain type of medication for hypertension were at increased risk for heart attack o Members of the public panicked o As a result, many stopped taking their medication
without consulting their doctor o Others flooded their doctor’s offices for advice o Example news article title:
o Drug for Blood Pressure Linked to Heart attacks: Researchers fear 6 million imperiled
o The findings of the original study were even considered to be controversial within the scientific community, and most medical doctor’s did not recommend discontinuing medication 10
Why sensationalize? o In week one, we discussed the uncertainty
associated with scientific research o To scientists, the portrayal of research to the
public as fact is a step too far o To the public, scientific studies may seem
tedious or wishy-washy o Thus, journalists have a fine line to tread
11
Why sensationalize? o Both journalists and scientists may benefit
from sensationalism in the press o Journalists may write a more compelling story
or one which will attract more readers o Scientists may wish to overturn scientific
dogma with their findings o This can lead to more funding to do further research
12
Solutions o Better training for science writers and
scientists o Some science writers have science degrees,
but may not have training in scientific communication with the public
o While many scientists are well-trained to perform science, they are not trained to communicate with the general public
13
Train scientists to communicate more like these guys… Carl Sagan Neil deGrasse Tyson
14 **Don’t know who they are? Watch one of their television programs or read one of their books! They are great!
Other solutions o Right now, neither scientist nor journalist are
held accountable when sensationalism occurs o Perhaps a watchdog group could monitor the
news and inform the public when sensationalism has occurred
15
Science denial
16
Scientific literacy o There are hot-button issues, in which broad
swaths of the population deny the scientific consensus o Examples: climate change, evolution,
vaccination and autism risk, safety of genetically modified foods, hydraulic fracking and environmental risk
17
Denialism o Denialism definition:
o Rejection of evidence to avoid unpleasant feelings or truths
18
Denialism tactics o Conspiracy theories
o Stating that it is a conspiracy is responsible for scientific findings, and the findings aren’t real
o Cherry pick data o Only choose scientific studies that support the
denialist view point o This may involve ignoring a large body of evidence
in which scientific consensus has been built o Impossible expectations for research
o Hold the oppositions research findings to an impossible standard of evidence
19
Other tactics o Fake experts
o Employ scientists or other authority figures to highlight research that is inconsistent with the scientific consensus
o Sometimes these experts are motivated by ideology or even monetary gain
o Misrepresent the opposition o Appeal to emotions and core values of the audience o Employ logical fallacies to attack the opposition on a
personal level o Exploit skepticism
o Remember, that scientists do not simply accept assertions as fact; we evaluate data and the quality of data
o We are willing to change our minds if new data challenge the dogma
20
Role of the media o Science journalism also plays a role
o Journalists often portray the two sides of controversy as if there is legitimate controversy
o By giving equal time, the public believes that controversy exists within the scientific community
21
How does the public respond? o Often the public views these issues as wars
in which a side is chosen o Group affinities and cultural groups play a role
in the decisions that the public makes about these controversies
22
Solutions? o Provide objective resources for the public to
access about these hot-button issues o It may prove difficult to motivate the public to
access these resources o Broadly, improve literacy about the scientific
method and interpretation of scientific data o I hope this class helped!
o What do you think?
23
Sensationalism and Denialism: Readings and Multimedia o Read: Let’s talk about sex o Read: Sensationalism in the media o Read: Science denial and the science
classroom o http://environment.yale.edu/profile/
leiserowitz/multimedia/anthony-leiserowitz- on-global-warmings-six-americas/
o http://www.wnyc.org/story/skeptics-guide- health-news-and-diet-fads/
24