Science as a beat in journalism: Current status and implications for the future

Abstract

This paper's main objective is to review existing literature on science journalism, focusing on the current status of the discipline and the implications of the reviewed literature going forward. The paper is driven by the fact that there has been reported conflict regarding how journalists and scientists view scientific information. Journalists have always lamented the insufficient support and cooperation from the science community. On the other hand, scientists argue that journalists' work is to disseminate scientific information through mass communication media and channels to mass audiences. Because of this acrimony, reporting on science as a beat by the media has been affected, leading to the scanty available literature on science journalism as a discipline. Empirical existing literature was searched through the search strings SCI* and JOUR* in peer-reviewed journals and the literature reviewed to ascertain the current status of science journalism, the research gaps and areas for future action. Journalists need support to keep in touch with local science institutions and other stakeholders to follow, monitor and report on new science developments. In addition, scientists need to embrace mass communication as an avenue through which they can share their scientific findings with the mass audience. Equally, scientists can collaborate with journalists to deliver scientific information to the mass audience through the media. Based on the findings and recommendations of the literature review, the paper argues a case for science journalism going forward.