Teaduse vahendamine ajakirjandusse
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Description
Mediating science
This master thesis looked more deeply into the brokering process of science into media.
Methods used in this thesis are both qualitative as well as quantitative with an emphasis on
the former. Theoretical chapter encompasses theories from science philosophy and journalism
studies, because the thesis itself encompasses scientific and journalistic discourses.
The aim of using quantitative method was to get an overview of science brokering process in
the case of one Estonian daily newspaper (Eesti Päevaleht). Method was used on articles from
the years 2004 and 2009. Results emerged from quantitative study indicated an increasing
trend of articles about science albeit the increase did not mean more so called pure scientific
stories. Instead it meant that the newspaper covered more stories where scientists were asked
to comment some for instance news from another sphere. Nevertheless I find this result
important to note, because it means that scientist were given more chances to comment on
stories from other areas of life. This aspect acknowledges that science is indeed bound to its
surrounding social context as cited in the theoretical chapter.
Another characteristic that emerged from the quantitative study, indicated that journalists used
scientists at times as classics not the usual journalistic sources. This means that scientists
where not active sources and it is probably linked with scientific discourse characteristics and
with the public image of science that science is authoritative, and to the idea that only science
possesses the absolute truth.
The results of interviews revealed a complex network of problems that accompany science
brokering. It begins with the conceptualising of science in a media organisation and it
encompasses relevant keywords as trust, critical awareness of sources, (source) diversity,
journalistic functions, barriers etc. It appeared that as science is becoming more and more
integrated with society, journalists need to ask more and more questions to themselves about
the motivations and different interests of sources. Journalists are expected to really understand
the characteristics of scientific discourse in more depth. In this aspect emerged the question of
the competence of journalist. This thesis does not provide an adequate answer to that
question, but it is a good basis for further investigation.
This thesis gives many opportunities for further investigation. For example it is possible to
map the whole (Estonian) situation of mediating science and therewith map the media
channels, genres, sections, scientific fields etc. It would also be possible to carry out a
research on public understanding of science in Estonia.
Thesis shows that science is indeed closely connected with its surrounding social context.
Therefore it would be interesting to find out in what way are blurred the boundaries of science
and business, science and politics. It would me possible to carry it out as a case study for
instance on the stories about swine flu or climatic change, or use the frames of crisis
communications. The theme of mediating science gives many possibilities for further
investigation.