The Journalist's Challenge in Deciphering and Communicating Scientific Risk
Lauran Neergaard, The Associated Press, Washington, DC
How the press covers scientific risk varies widely, often depending on the experience and expertise of the individual reporter but also according to day-to-day deadline constraints, the availability and reliability of scientific data, dissension among the experts, and the public's interest. Topics to be explored include how journalists decide what is news; how we investigate risk on deadline; scientific consensus vs. the obligation to report all sides; how scientists and journalists communicate; and some examples of risk coverage.