Making Science News: A Journalists Roundtable
APS Communication Committee
Andrea Gwosdow
Speakers: TBA
Mapping the genome…hypertension…heart disease – the
list of recent news stories written on science-based issues goes on and on.
These articles are part of a growing niche in the media for science and
health news. Journalists are eager to report on new research in the life
sciences. Many reporters have a moderate knowledge of the sciences and some
even have subscriptions to scientific journals. They are becoming more
receptive to scientific information, especially that which affects human
health and personal quality of life. A growing number of reporters have
become proactive in their approach, contacting scientists to explore new
research on the horizon.
What does this mean to APS members? This
ever-expanding interest in scientific news is an opportunity to assist in
public understanding of and garner public support for scientific and
biomedical research. Not only are there many more occasions to publicize
scientific studies, but there is also a higher probability that scientists
will be called upon by the media to explain these studies. Helping
scientists to take advantage of these opportunities is the aim of the EB
2004 Symposium organized by the APS Communications Committee.
The symposium, entitled “Making Science News,” will
feature a panel of three journalists (from TV, newspaper and radio) who will
offer their insight into what makes science news and the best practices for
getting scientific research covered.
The journalist panel will be followed by an intimate
media workshop led by medical publicist Donna Krupa, discussing how
scientists can work with the media. Participants will also engage in
hands-on exercises that focus on the best ways to present scientific
research to reporters.
The goal of this symposium is to familiarize scientists
with how the media works. By preparing scientists to sculpt clear,
media-ready messages, the scientific community assists in bringing accurate
information to the public. The symposium is open to all and will be held in
the Convention Center Room 140A on Saturday, April 17, 2003 from 2-5 p.m.
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