The Global Science Journalism Report 2021 surveyed 633 science journalists from 77 countries about their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that work has become more intense: 64 per cent said the number of projects they worked on in one week had grown in the past five years. Overall, journalists typically work on one article or package over a two-week period, but women, who made up 54 per cent of respondents, were more likely to be working on five assignments in the same period.
Responses showed mixed feelings about the profession. Forty-six per cent said they were happy with their jobs, and 81 per cent expected they would certainly or probably remain in the field for the next five years. Almost three quarters did not agree that science journalism is a dying profession, while roughly a third thought the field was in crisis and a similar number disagreed.
The research was co-led by institutions in Brazil, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and ISCTE-Lisbon, with the World Federation of Science Journalists. The report noted that 55 per cent of respondents used pre-print material in COVID-19 stories and that common sources were peer-reviewed journals, official institutions and scientists. Many said more press releases plus newsroom cuts can lower standards, and 71 per cent agreed too few people report on the process of science rather than its results.
Difficult words
- survey — ask many people questions to collect informationsurveyed
- intense — very strong in feeling or activity
- respondent — a person who answers questions in a studyrespondents
- assignment — a piece of work given to a personassignments
- profession — a type of job that requires skill
- pre-print — a research paper before formal journal review
- peer-reviewed — checked and approved by other experts
- press release — an official public statement for the mediapress releases
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think working on five assignments at the same time can reduce the quality of reporting? Why?
- What could newsrooms do to keep standards when they have fewer staff?
- How important is reporting on the process of science, not only its results? Explain your opinion.
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