As Adam spotted, I meant to write "scientists need more influence over those
who write the headlines", rather than "write the agenda". I think Lord
Winston did say it would be helpful if the media understood more science,
but wouldn't swear by it (it was breakfast-time and I wasn't taking notes).
I also felt that point 1 - the deficit model restated - came across
throughout the interview, but that may be my prejudices as a listener.
I an looking forward to reading the report - as it seemed to me that the
Committee was heading towards some really interesting conclusions. I did
find the interview this morning a bit of a missed opportunity, though.
David
-------------------------------------
David Steven
River Path Associates
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-----Original Message-----
From: Heathfield Adam [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 March 2000 16:25
To: 'David Steven'; Psci-Com (E-mail)
Subject: RE: Lords call for scientists to be more open in their work
Two points regarding the "Science and Society" report of the Science and
Technology Select Committee of the House of Lords:
1. The report is now available at
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199900/ldselect/ldsctech/38/3801.
htm
2. For what it's worth, my recollection of Lord Winston's interview on Radio
5 differs from the summary circulated this morning, particularly on item one
("people distrust science because they don't understand it") which I don't
recall being said at all - it isn't a point made in the report. Items seven
and eight about the media quite aren't what I understood from the interview
- I thought the point made was that although science journalism was very
good, it wasn't always the science journalists who wrote stories (or the
headlines) about science issues.
Anyway, there is a whole chapter about the media in the report (and much
else besides), so anyone interested, please have a look.
Adam Heathfield.
Specialist Assistant to the Select Committee on
Science and Technology, House of Lords.
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: David Steven [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 March 2000 10:29
To: Psci-Com (E-mail)
Subject: RE: Lords call for scientists to be more open in their work
Lord Winston on Radio 5 live:
1. People distrust science because they do not understand it.
2. Scientists need to be more open, although it is untrue to say they are
secretive.
3. Much of the problem is politicians pushing scientists for certainty.
4. We can't be certain about anything, though much of the evidence shows
that the public is wrong to worry about GM foods.
5. More education is essential.
6. Scientists need to be better at dealing with the media.
7. Britain has the best science journalists in the world, but scientists
need more influence over those who write the agenda.
8. It would good if the media understood more about science.
David
-------------------------------------
David Steven
River Path Associates
http://www.riverpath.com
[log in to unmask]
01202 849993 (work)
07939 038832 (mobile)
61a West Borough, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1LX, UK
-----Original Message-----
From: PUB (E-mail) [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 14 March 2000 07:42
To: Psci-Com (E-mail)
Subject: BSE: Lords call for scientists to be more open in their work
Extract from FT.com:
The Guardian - United Kingdom, 14-Mar-2000
175 words.
Scientists need to open a dialogue with the public that is 'direct, open and
timely', according to a report from the Lords select committee on science
and technology yesterday. Public trust, shaken by BSE and GM foods, could
only be restored by a substantial change in science and in scientific
policy-making. Lord Jenkin of Roding, the committee's chairman, said it was
a paradox that this crisis of trust should come at a time when the public
was finding science, engineering and technology ...
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