Journalism's Revolution: Understanding Sience to Escape the Politicial Manipulation of Public Discourse on Scientific nd Environmental Issues
Graduation Date
Spring 2009
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Mairi Pleggi, PhD
Second Reader
Martin Anderson, JD, PhD
Abstract
Science journalism is in need of repair. Too often interest groups can unduly affect the coverage on controversial issues like global warming or water pollution. I argue this is because the underlying theory of science journalism does not require enough background in science to recognize potential manipulation. If journalists understood the scientific community better, they could better adjudicate competing truth claims like "global warming is real and caused by man" vs. "global warming is a hoax/naturally occurring phenomenon". The proposed theory requires an increased level of intervention on the part of the journalist that is both controversial and, in my view, justified. That intervention should be limited and based on the rhetorical notion of ethos. Specifically, I introduce two new terms: collegiate ethos (the ethos a scientist has within the scientific community) and public ethos (the ethos awarded simply from the title "scientist"). If journalists understood the difference between these two ethoi, they would be able to better educate the public about the peer-reviewed and credible science behind scientific and environmental controversies such that the public cou demand better public policy from its elected representatives.