Cures and Causes: Science Reporting in the Media

What does it mean when you hear the words “cures” and “causes” in a science report in the news? It may be hard to tell, given our current information overload. Science stories in the popular media may lack context, so it becomes difficult for the public to know what to believe. Even worse. as conflicting studies emerge, it may sound as if scientists don’t know what they are talking about. Dr. Krista Hoffmann-Longtin is an expert science communicator with experience in journalism and training scientists to talk to the media. We’ll ask her for tips of sifting through news stories with a critical eye, and talk about what scientists and science advocates can do to ensure we share accurate information.