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CNN Decides It Can Cover Science Without Dedicated Science Reporters
From Curtis Brainard at the CJR Observatory blog:
CNN, the Cable News Network, announced yesterday that it will cut its entire science, technology, and environment news staff, including Miles O’Brien, its chief technology and environment correspondent, as well as six executive producers.
The move seems strange and unfortunate given the ever-increasing role that scientific and technological issues play in shaping political and economic life in the United States.
Brainard rounds up a cohort of experts who are “dishearted” or “baffled” by the decision, particularly given CNN’s own admission that the move came not because the network fell on hard times. In fact, they’re doing just fine. He quotes CNN spokesperson Barbara Levin: “We want to integrate environmental, science and technology reporting into the general editorial structure rather than have a stand alone unit.”
Chris Mooney lamented the economic woes that are depleting the science staffs at newspapers throughout the United States and Canada in a recent column—and in particular the fact that in many instances, newspapers hear not a peep of complaint when they eliminate science coverage.
It should go without saying that science and technology are vital to the health, wealth, safety, and prosperity of everyone. If you think CNN should devote resources to covering those issues, here’s their feedback page.
Comments on this article
With quality science news coverage diminishing across traditional media outlets, new efforts are needed to reach Americans when it comes to communicating science.
The National Academies is currently surveying members of the public to identify the topics in science, engineering, and medicine that matter most to them. A suite of engaging educational materials (both print and web-based) and other outreach acitivities will be developed around those topics that are the most popular. These materials alone won’t solve the communication gap, but they will go toward breaking down the complexities of today’s top science, engineering, and medical issues.
Readers can voice their own opinions here:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/85927/what-matters-most-to-you-c
December 4th, 2008 at 5:02 pmThe problem is with not having science reporters, is that they may trust the scientists there at the bat of being reported on. Just because people wear white coats doesn’t always mean they are correct in what they assert.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:10 am