REALL News - Vol 03 No 09 - 1995

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 3 Issue 9
Date: September 1995

This issue of The REALL News features an in-depth article titled "Covering Science: Why the Media So Seldom Get It Right" by Stephen Peterson. The magazine also includes an editor's note and a list of recommended books on the topic of evolution.

Covering Science: Why the Media So Seldom Get It Right

Stephen Peterson's article critiques the mainstream media's handling of scientific subjects, arguing that journalists and editors often lack scientific literacy. He notes that journalism education does not typically equip reporters with the necessary scientific understanding, similar to how other professions might lack specialized knowledge outside their domain.

Peterson observes that while the press is often effective at scrutinizing political claims, it frequently fails to apply the same critical skepticism to pseudoscientific claims, such as those made by psychics. These stories are often relegated to junior reporters as "soft" news, intended to make the publication more appealing to a general audience rather than to inform them rigorously.

The core issue, according to Peterson, is that media outlets are businesses driven by advertising revenue. To maintain readership and viewership, they must cater to a diverse audience, which includes believers in astrology, UFOs, and ghosts. Consequently, media outlets are reluctant to present information that might alienate a significant portion of their audience by debunking their beliefs. This practical consideration often overrides the pursuit of scientific accuracy.

The article posits that there is a lack of perceived public demand for a better understanding of science, which prevents the press from investing in the necessary resources. This would involve a substantial re-education of journalists and editors and a fundamental overhaul of journalism curricula. However, publishers are unlikely to undertake such costly initiatives for the infrequent need to report on scientific matters, preferring to keep feature writers on staff for more general topics.

Peterson argues that the mainstream press, to stay viable, must reflect the broader culture. If the public is interested in UFOs, the media will cover them, often with the same level of skepticism (or lack thereof) as the public. He poses the question of whether culture needs to change to appreciate science before the media will follow, or vice versa. He suspects that simply criticizing the media's scientific ignorance will not lead to change, as media institutions are inherently conservative and slow to alter their practices.

Furthermore, rising newsprint costs have forced media outlets to cut staff and reduce editorial space, making it more costly to produce in-depth, skeptical reporting on paranormal claims. The easier, less expensive path is to simply report the claim without critical examination. Therefore, Peterson concludes, complaints about science and pseudoscience coverage are likely to continue for a long time.

The article is reprinted with permission from the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) and originally appeared in their June 1995 newsletter, Skeptical Briefs.

Sources and Editor's Note

The "Sources" section for this month focuses on "Evolution." The Editor's Note addresses reader inquiries about where to find more information on specific topics. The editor expresses a desire to provide recommendations for in-depth study and offers a list of books on evolution that have been previously recommended by Michael Shermer, publisher and editor-in-chief of Skeptic magazine.

Recommended Books on Evolution:

• *Evolution: The History of an Idea* (1989) by Peter Bowler
• *Science on Trial: The Case for Evolution* (1982) by Douglas Futuyma
• *Creationism on Trial: Evolution and God at Little Rock* (1985) by Langdon Gilkey
• *Scientists Confront Creationism* (1983) edited by Laurie Godfrey
• *Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes* (1983) and *Bully for Brontosaurus* (1991) by Stephen Jay Gould
• *The Creationists* (1992) by Ronald Numbers
• *Darwinism Defended* (1982) by Michael Ruse

The editor also invites readers to send in their own recommendations for topics on science, the paranormal, and pseudoscience.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The central theme of this issue is the critical examination of media practices concerning science and pseudoscience. The editorial stance, as presented through Stephen Peterson's article and the Editor's Note, is one of concern over the lack of scientific literacy in journalism and the media's tendency to prioritize broad appeal and economic viability over accurate scientific reporting. The publication advocates for greater scientific rigor in the media and encourages readers to seek out reliable sources for understanding complex scientific topics like evolution.