The Future of Science Journalism - US and UK Strategies

No one disagrees that we need more good journalism about science, and innovations in order to understand better our complex world and its increasing problems. However, science as a news topic is in danger especially in the downsizing U.S. main stream media.

For example, whealthy CNN axed its entire science and environment unit in December 2008. Furthermore, according to the 6th World Conference of Science Journalists in London, 29 June, membership of the USA science journalism association, the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), stands at over 2000 but of these only 79 are now full time staff science writers for newspapers.

The counter attack was recently made by the leading U.S. research universities by founding a new joint news outlet called futurity.org. One of the founding members is Stanford.

No journalists needed, but PR departments of the universities.

Interesting to see, whether this kind of "source lead journalism" is the future pattern also for other resourceful institutions like companies, governments, and - sport clubs.

So, is the time for journalistic middlemen and women over?

I hope not.

It seems that the journalistic backbone of the Anglo-American world is now in Britain. The Times just announced to start the very first science dedicated monthly magazine of any national newspaper in Britain: it's called Eureka.