Succeeding as a scientist requires effectively learning from one another, writing in journals, and collaborating with groups of many sizes. You can’t do that without great communication skills, so why is it that scientists often struggle to communicate with the public? Paul Sutter contends that scientists and their institutions don’t give public communication the attention it deserves, which has contributed to declining public trust of science as an institution. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here