A different breed of journalist

By: Sara Crouse

Not all journalists are the same. In fact, there seems to be a different kind of journalist for almost every occasion. It seems as if some journalists have an agenda almost foreign to others.

Science journalists have some difficult stories to report on and write. Their subjects are often so complex that they must put the words into lay language.

Besides ‘dumbing down’ the breaking science news, science journalists must recognize their story in relations to the changing world too. Not only are scientific breakthroughs constantly changing, but so is the world in which they are discovered.

It is difficult enough for science journalists to be aware of all the potential changes in their discovery, let alone take notice of the changing world around them. Yet, the great science journalist takes it upon themselves to do so.

There is a larger underlying importance in the work science journalists though. They are the connection between science breakthroughs and the public. Therefore, it is important that science journalists inform the public in a non-biased manner.

Is the role of informing the public about science best left up to the science journalist or the physicist? The journalist will use entertaining, fluff words to make the topic sound more appealing than what it really is. The physicist will at least state the accurate truth and findings. Some may say science news should be left to the scientists who discover them.

Do science journalists function with a ‘code of ethics’ to protect against exaggerated fluff words? There isn’t a ‘code of ethics’ for science journalists, but there has been recent talk of creating one. Science journalists should take it upon themselves naturally to provide accurate research and findings on today’s breakthroughs and discoveries.

Isn’t it the role of any journalist, no matter the topic, to provide the truth to his/her reader? Perhaps science journalists just have harder topics than most.