I wouldn't say that AlphaGalileo and Science Media Centre try to reach only
the science media. It is just what happens.
They cast their net as widely as possible. But the people who they might
want to catch, the journos, are set in their ways. I have often aimed people
at AlphaGalileo, and occasional SMC, but I suspect that more of them have
signed up for Expertsources than for the more general services.
I'm not sure that SMC is still in this particular game. The last time I
talked to them, a few months ago, I got the distinct impression that while
they probably wouldn't turn away a humble hack, SMC has focused on an ever
narrower target, the "Fleet Street" science hacks, which sort of rules out
many of the specialists and freelance writers who actually deliver much of
the media coverage of science and technology.
If you look at the SMC web site you will see that it points to AlphaGalileo
as the place for an "online database of experts". SMC does invite people to
contact them if they " work in the news media and: need a news interview
with a scientist". Not being a newshound, that seems to rule me out.
____________________________
Michael Kenward
ABSW e-minder
http://www.absw.org.uk
http://absw.blogspot.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Reynolds
Sent: 27 October 2006 07:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
Mike's observation raises some interesting questions.
Yes Expertsources (and others) are there to cover the mass media - and yes
they make money offering these services to generalist journalists because
they make it easy for them - one number experts on everything! Defining an
expert as someone who knows more (however little) than you do about a
subject helps of course.
Now, are we (or Mike) saying that SMC and A-G are only reaching specialist
science journalists etc? Are we with these new(ish) structures yet again
facilitating "scientist to speak unto scientist" rather than openning
channels to a wider audience? I am sure that SMC and A-G would claim a wider
audience - certainly much wider than anything before they both came into
existance - but is their main business actually coming from science/
specialist journos only?
The science journos still have to get the "science branded story" through
their editorial filter.
And what can we/ they do to change this? Do/ should A-G/ SMC feed into the
generalist "expert" providers?
Regards
Tim Reynolds
>From: Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "psci-com: on public engagement with science"
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
>Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:44:01 +0100
>
>The point about Expertsources is that it is something that the average hack
>will consult. AlphaGalileo and Science Media Centre, wonderful as they are,
>and much as I did my bit to spread their messages, reach the specialists.
>
>
>
>Expertsources is part of a bigger PR thing that it used widely in the
>media.
>
>
>
>I have used it once or twice, usually just to test the system. It normally
>smokes out PR folks. Not something I would recommend to a "bench boffin,"
>as
>they would doubtless dub them.
>
>
>
>____________________________
>
>Michael Kenward
>
>ABSW e-minder
>
>http://www.absw.org.uk
>
>http://absw.blogspot.com/
>
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary
>Sent: 26 October 2006 09:44
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
>
>
>
>Doesn't the Science Media Centre do this already, for free? And they will
>put journalists in touch with scientists who are good at communicating and
>really know their stuff, whereas this service would seem rather to
>encourage
>people who want personal publicity. I can't see many journalists using
>it,
>to be honest.
>
>Mary
>
>
>
> _____
>
>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Osborne
>Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 10:30 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [PSCI-COM] Expert Sources
>
>
>
>I have had the following message from this organisation after a brief
>appearance on TV complaining about the failure of scientists to understand
>the media and how scientists need to present what they do to make their
>work
>interesting to journalists. I said that I would pass it onto people on
>this
>list and you may wish to pass it on to scientists you know. The caveat, of
>course, is that it costs to register with them. I am passing it on because
>he has a more general point beyond advertising the service.
>
>Jonathan Osborne
>King's College London
>
>
>Expertsources is an online directory of UK Experts (in all subjects)
>available to the media. Our site is widely used by more than 2,000
>journalists to find specialist comment on news, current affairs and news
>features.
>
>There are a number of science experts registered with us. We want to
>attract
>many more:
>* to give science experts more opportunities to raise awareness of
>themselves, their organisations & their subjects; and to broadcast their
>opinions
>* to provide journalists with expert comment and ideas for different angles
>on stories/features.
>
>Unlike other specialist areas such as health, transport, politics etc -
>scientists willing to be available to the media are proiving difficult to
>recruit. Many complain science is being ignored and yet are very reluctant
>to help 'sell' it to the public in any way.
>
>Many of the scientists registered with Expertsources use complicated jargon
>as their keyword expertise (those words & phrases journalists use to find
>them). For most, the keywords chosen will never be searched.
>
>In its simplest form - journalists who want someone to comment on stories
>involving baldness or hair loss do not, generally, search for an expert in
>tricology (although that's what they usually get)!
>
>To stem the decline in the number of science students/teachers, you are
>right to argue that all branches of science should make themselves more
>relevant to life in the 21st Century. If that means making science 'sexy',
>then so be it.
>
>There is a terrific opportunity, via sites such as Expertsources, for
>specialists in Chemistry, Physics and Biology to promote themselves to
>journalists working for newspapers, magazines, radio & television in a far
>more 'attractive' manner.
>
>With many years' experience of working within the media, we would be
>willing
>to talk to any science-based organisation to explain how to promote and
>market themselves and their members far more effectively.
>
>This approach may be frowned upon in some academic circles. But probably
>there is little alternative if the decline in enthusiasm and interest in
>science is to be reversed. We're nearing the time when the only reason to
>invite a science expert onto a television programme is to talk about the
>lack of interest in their subject!
>
>We would be grateful if, as you suggested, you would pass on the details of
>www.expertsources.co.uk <http://www.expertsources.co.uk> to any science
>organisations or associations which you think would benefit by adopting a
>more pro-active attitude to their PR.
>
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