Mass media plays an important role in communicating science to the general public, but it faces challenges. Journalists have problems like factual errors, misquotes, not capturing the main point of a study, or not publishing stories at all. It is complex, as there are good and bad journalists and editors. Journalists must fight for space, find stories, simplify complex ideas, and meet tight deadlines. Miscommunications can still occur even with fact checking. Improving science reporting requires helping journalists get stories right through resources and training while recognizing excellence will raise standards.

1. IS MASS MEDIA DOING A GOOD JOB OF
EXPLAINING SCIENCE TO THE PUBLIC..?
MALAKA RODRIGO
COMMUNICATING SCIENCE TO GENERAL PUBLIC

2. MASS MEDIA IS IMPORTANT IN COMMUNICATING SCIENCE
TO GENERAL PUBLIC..!!!

3. PROBLEMS IN REPORTING SCIENCE IN MASS MEDIA
• Factual errors
• Misquotes
• Not capturing the main point
• Not getting enough attention
• Not publishing the story at all etc.. etc…
…… Creates lack of confidence on journalists (in general)
But should Journalists alone to be blamed..??

4. IT IS COMPLEX..
Like in any other field..
There are Good journalists / Bad Journalists
There are Good editors / Bad editors
Journalists covering general topics / specialized in specific genres
Those who are interested at reporting Science
….Things could go wrong even after everything is carefully checked
Demands by the process

5. © http://carlosfb.me/editorial-design/

6. CHALLENGES JOURNALISTS FACE REPORTING STI
1) Getting to know about New Research
2) Fight for space in newspaper
3) Finding the ‘story’ and present it in simple terms with a flow
4) Need to ‘de-Jargonize’
5) Difficult to get information (specially from government institutes)
6) Miscommunications
7) Shorter DEADLINES
8) Largely Demands by the process

7. MISUNDERSTANDINGS: THINGS CAN GO WRONG EVEN AFTER
EVERYTHING IS CAREFULLY CHECKED..
The late Banana, beloved of primatologist Dr. Jinie
Dela. The picture was taken by a villager.

10. POWER OF INFOGRAPHICS
© Nalin Balasuriya / SundayTimes

11. HOW TO IMPROVE THE STATUS
1) Help the journalists to get the story right and interesting
2) More training for journalists
3) Make resources available assisting journalists
4) Recognize good ‘Science Journalists’ will create standards

12. THANK YOU.!!