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RELATE: Research Labs for Training Journalists. 80 journalism students are sent on one-week study tours to EU-funded research labs, where they shadow and interview researchers. Subjects cover everything from climate change modelling to cultural heritage, aeronautics, photonics, and vaccine research for TB and cancer.
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Study tour briefing
Howard Hudson, EditorEuropean Journalism Centre
A learning curve for everyone
RELATE aims to help you develop your skills in science writing
...While helping researchers deal with the media (share information, interview skills, etc.)
Image: Ruby Blossom Flickr)
Why are we here? People can't keep up with the pace of technological change...
The general public is either afraid or apathetic about hi-tech research because they don't understand it.
Bombarded by sensationalist articles, people don't know what to believe.
Journalists are key to explaining science – literally to mediate
Reporters: Cheerleaders or watchdogs?
“Science and journalism are not alien cultures... They are built on the same foundation...that conclusions require evidence; that the evidence should be open to everyone; and that everything is subject to question... And whether it's directed towards an experiment or a breaking news story, each can appreciate the other's critical eye.”
Nature Magazine, 30 June 2009
Image: US Geological Survey (Flickr)
So what can we do? Interview and shadow researchers while they
work: discover science from the inside
Present the facts as clearly as possible: help make sense of science
Involve the reader by focusing on the individual stories: things they can relate to...
The sick people who benefit: e.g. over 7.4 million people die each year from cancer worldwide
Or by showing the 'human side' of the scientists
What are we NOT here to do?
Act as public relations officers for science: we're not here to write press releases.
Why? For our own CREDIBILITY
People dismiss one-sided stories and editors won't buy one-sided accounts.
But also remember...
We are not here as undercover journalists
Or to write sensationalist articles
Please note which briefings are off-the-record
Respect the lab rules and journalism ethics
Learn best practice and worst practice...
See www.badscience.net
Ultimately, we're here to...
Write engaging, balanced and accurate accounts
Capture the cutting-edge in our writing
Explore all sides of the issue: the likely benefits as well as the social impacts
Explore the personal angle: Who benefits? How do the researchers work? What drives them?
Get people talking and debating, through intellectual curiosity or individual empathy
