How do journalists act as watchdogs of science? New qualitative research led by University of Amsterdam media scholar Alice Fleerackers sheds light on the labor-intensive nature of watchdog science journalism, a form of critical journalism that scrutinizes science. It shows that practical feasibility sometimes takes precedence over public interest when deciding whether to run a story, particularly in newsrooms with limited resources. The findings, recently published in Science Communication, underscore the precarity of a form of journalism that is essential for public trust in science yet operates under severe pressure.
Watchdog science journalism: Crucial yet precarious work, according to study
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