New guide to combat misinformation: How to avoid typical mistakes when reporting on science

Desciption

Science reveals a wealth of fabulous stories and is by far our most credible source of knowledge. But uncritical reporting on science is problematic and could, in a worst-case scenario, cost lives.

In a new award-winning guide, the Danish popular science media Videnskab.dk has compiled 11 tips for journalists on how to avoid typical blunders in science reporting. The guide brings forward examples of Videnskab.dk’s own mistakes and experiences during 14 years of reporting on science, and it was created in collaboration with a wealth of researchers, journalists and journalism students. The guide was recently translated to English and is freely available to anyone online.

During the session, the new guide will be presented with practical tips. Afterward, the workshop will discuss whether the guide is relevant in an international context and/or how the 11 tips could be improved and used internationally. In other words, we invite all participants to help create the best possible tool to aid reporters avoid the most typical mistakes in science reporting – with the overall goal of countering misinformation. The workshop is also an open invitation to potentially collaborate and create new versions of the guide in your local language.

About Videnskab.dk:
Videnskab.dk is Denmark’s leading science media. Opened in 2008, Videnskab.dk delivers daily news covering science in the broadest possible sense as a public service to all. We have won awards for our efforts to improve science reporting in Denmark and ability to reach young people with stories about science. Every month about one sixth of the Danish population visits our site, and content from Videnskab.dk is also distributed through various mainstream media partners, social media, podcasts and videos.