Abstract
ESEP Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics Contact the journal RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections ESEP 9:17-24 (2009) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00098 Advocates, adversaries, and adjuncts: the ethics of international science journalism from a US perspective James Cornell* International Science Writers Association,6666 North Mesa View Drive, Tucson, Arizona 85718-2526, USA *Email: cornelljc@earthlink.net ABSTRACT: The traditional image of journalists as adversaries of the establishment is sometimes blurred by the complex relationship between reporters and scientists, particularly in developing countries where advancing science and technology is seen as essential to economic growth, and journalists, intentionally or not, may become advocates for this national goal. The changing nature of media technology, coupled with intense market pressures, is further complicating the role of science journalists as many have become affiliated with research organizations: institutional adjuncts providing information directly to the public. While it is difficult to develop a single set of ethical standards that can be applied globally—or that can address the new realities of modern science communication—existing models suggest that peer pressure can be an effective method of policing journalistic misconduct, even on an international scale. KEY WORDS:Science journalism · Advocacy journalism · Ethical standards · International communication · Media Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Cornell J (2009) Advocates, adversaries, and adjuncts: the ethics of international science journalism from a US perspective. Ethics Sci Environ Polit 9:17-24. https://doi.org/10.3354/esep00098 Export citation Mail this link - Contents Mailing Lists - RSS Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESEP Vol. 9, No. 1. Online publication date: September 11, 2009 Print ISSN: 1863-5415; Online ISSN: 1611-8014 Copyright © 2009 Inter-Research.
Highlights
The first half of 2008 may have been one of the worst periods in the history of US American journalism
According to the Columbia Journalism Review, during this 6 mo stretch, ‘newspaper revenue went into free fall...Gannet, the country’s second largest newspaper chain, saw its second quarter advertising revenue drop 13.5% from a year earlier and announced it would cut 1000 jobs from its newspapers; the New York Times Media Group dropped 9.5% in ad revenue
US newspaper circulation — and advertising lineage — continues to fall precipitously, with overall revenues dropping by nearly 8% in 2008 (Project for Excellence in Journalism 2008)
Summary
The first half of 2008 may have been one of the worst periods in the history of US American journalism. The public, especially those members who are benefiting from development or hope that they will, is hungry for news of positive achievements, of research that will improve their lives and health, and of technology that will enhance the economy and their own incomes. In such an atmosphere, science journalists face interesting and challenging ethical dilemmas: Will they, because of their own natural interests and professional experience, become enthusiastic advocates for scientific research and, by extension, adjuncts to governmental efforts to advance national goals? Science journalists face interesting and challenging ethical dilemmas: Will they, because of their own natural interests and professional experience, become enthusiastic advocates for scientific research and, by extension, adjuncts to governmental efforts to advance national goals? Or will they, if allowed, become adversaries of the governmental, industrial, and military interests that benefit from allowing the darker aspects of science and technology booms to go unchecked?
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