Examples of both expected and unexpected interactions and outcomes when conveying science and technology to traditional print and modern media journalists

Abstract

It has been my experience with both traditional print journalists, and with modern media journalists, that unexpected interactions and outcomes sometimes occur. These can have both desirable and undesired consequences for the scientist. Some examples of these interactions will be given, which are associated with quite diverse technical topics, ranging from press and radio interviews covering work on the soundscape of a threatened species (Ceratotherium simum simum, the southern white rhinoceros), to a radio interview on the acoustics of coffee roasting that included a surprise guest, to an underwater photo shoot with a National Geographic photographer covering research on an underwater noise abatement system. Some guidelines will be presented that aim to minimize the undesired outcomes.