Mass Communication and Journalism: Journalism Genres and Specializations - Environmental and Science Journalism

What It Is

Environmental and science journalism involves reporting on scientific and environmental issues, often requiring specialized knowledge and critical thinking to convey complex information accurately. A notable example is the Exxon Knew campaign, which exposed ExxonMobil's alleged knowledge of climate change in the 1980s. This matters for media analysis because it highlights the importance of fact-based reporting in the face of corporate interests and scientific uncertainty.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Environmental journalism: Reporting on environmental issues, such as climate change, conservation, and pollution.
• Science journalism: Reporting on scientific research, discoveries, and breakthroughs.
• Fact-checking: Verifying the accuracy of information, especially in complex scientific or environmental stories.
• Sensationalism: Presenting information in a way that grabs attention, often at the expense of accuracy or context.
• Objectivity: Reporting on a topic without bias or personal opinion.
• The inverted pyramid structure: A writing style where the most important information is presented first, followed by supporting details.
• The hourglass structure: A writing style where the most important information is presented in the middle, with supporting details before and after.
• The precautionary principle: A principle that suggests caution should be exercised when dealing with potential environmental or health risks.
• The scientific consensus: A general agreement among experts on a particular scientific issue.
• Peer review: A process where scientific research is reviewed by experts before publication.
• Climate change denial: The rejection of the scientific consensus on climate change.
• Greenwashing: The practice of presenting a company's environmental record as better than it actually is.
• Environmental impact assessment: A study that evaluates the potential environmental effects of a project or policy.
• Science communication: The process of conveying scientific information to the public.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Environmental journalism only covers issues related to conservation and wildlife.
• Correction: Environmental journalism encompasses a broad range of topics, including climate change, pollution, and human health.
• Misunderstanding: Science journalism is only about reporting on breakthroughs and discoveries.
• Correction: Science journalism also involves reporting on the implications and applications of scientific research.
• Misunderstanding: Fact-checking is only necessary for sensational or attention-grabbing stories.
• Correction: Fact-checking is essential for all types of reporting, especially in complex scientific or environmental stories.

Quick Application / Identification

Scenario: A news article reports that a new study has found a link between a particular food and an increased risk of cancer. However, the article does not provide any information about the study's methodology or the scientific consensus on the issue.

• Identify the concept: _________
• Apply the rule: The article should include information about the study's methodology and the scientific consensus on the issue to provide context and accuracy.
• Correct answer: The article should include information about the study's methodology and the scientific consensus on the issue.
• Explanation: This is an example of the importance of fact-checking and providing context in science journalism.

Last?Minute Revision

• The Sokal hoax (1996) exposed the lack of rigor in some academic journals.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a leading authority on climate change.
• The Precautionary Principle is enshrined in the Rio Declaration (1992).
• The Scientific Consensus on climate change is supported by 97% of climate scientists.
• The Inverted Pyramid Structure is used in most news articles.
• Greenwashing is a form of corporate spin.
• Environmental Impact Assessment is a required step in many development projects.
• Science Communication is a growing field of study.
  Sensationalism can lead to misinformation.
  Objectivity is not the same as neutrality.
  The Precautionary Principle is not a substitute for scientific evidence.