Broadcasting of Science - Essay Example

Broadcasting of Science Broadcast journalism is the evaluation and gathering of information concerning the events that happen to people and the conveying of that information in a nonbiased and balanced manner. This form of journalism should fulfill the public’s entitlement for it to stay informed in a free and liberal society. It involves the usage of a variety of media tools that may include the internet, television sets, radio, and a variety of portable wireless gadgets. However, despite journalism proving effective it also has its disadvantage. In essence, the information given only exists in a temporary media hence the audience cannot go back on the content once aired. When viewed from the scientific point of view, Britain is the third largest research contributor globally after the U.S and Japan. In addition, the United Kingdom’s economy has technology and science contribute a third to it (Jones 4). Overtime, broadcasting of science related issues has proven to be a tricky affair, but reporters have tremendously stridden towards the achievement of the same. Essentially, this paper will examine the differing positions regarding the creation of a balance in being effective in the reporting of science related events with a major focus on BBC news channel. Mainly, many newsreaders and reporters tend to shy away from the broadcast of science, as it requires critical research and extensive munching of figures. A science related story is factual and not fictional therefore; it is not easy to cook figures or distort the facts. Therefore, a slight misrepresentation of the facts may lead to critic from the science fraternity, which may not be advantageous to the broadcasting company leave alone the reporter. However, if society does not get plenty of science information it becomes a scientific illiterate society. This proves highly detrimental, as the society may be unable to tackle the easiest of science related challenges due to its ill-informed state. Arguably, many scientists tend to view mass media as a not so powerful tool for conveying science related information. On the contrary, BBC stood out in Britain as its science related content was above that of the other channels. On average, it broadcasted 4.6% of science items while BBC radio had the most number of shows doing coverage on these issues. In addition, the technology aspect got most coverage by the BBC News Channel, which had more science content. In contrast, the time allocated for science issues in daytime shows was relatively lower as compared to those broadcasted during the late hours. On the other hand, the BBC internet site displayed relatively similar proportions of science aspects just like the other tools of broadcasting. The News Front page of their site gave at least five percent linkages to science items. Additionally, a hundred and thirty out of the six hundred and forty queer items found were also science related in this site and a further forty-one to science-affiliated topics. Moreover, the length of the internet articles was up to 520 words, with the ones with origin to environmental science being longer with an average of five hundred and eighty three words (Mellor et al 12). In comparison, the science coverage given by BBC news is almost equivalent to that given to other news channels. This was as per the year 2010. However, this would mean that there has been either an improvement or plunge in the coverage of the same since then. In essence, the days of the week also draw the amount of time allocated to the reporting of science and its affiliates. The weekends do not give coverage of such as dedication on these days goes to human-interest stories. However, for BBC broadcast of science was high on Friday and relatively low on Mondays. This scenario was due to the weekly Thursday journal with which with its release gave topics to which coverage could base upon. On the other hand, two percent of the BBC airtime went to broadcast of programs on the non-news schedule. In essence, radio took up most of these broadcasts in 2010 as compared to 2009 where the scheduled time fell drastically in weekends with a relative high in between the week. A remarkable aspect was that current affairs broadcasts for BBC did not contain any coverage on science issues as they gave priority to other matters. However, the positioning of these science issues varied between 2009 and 2010 as they got highlights at the beginning of a program and got detailed mention at the second part of it. Additionally, the news bulletins used eight percent of them as the first items in regard to the occurring swine flu epidemic and oil spillage stories. In other instances, only six percent of these stories got featured as the second part of the bulletin (Mellor et al 24). According to Professor Jones from the Imperial College of London, the BBC science coverage also had its challenges as it lacked coordination between the producers of these broadcasts within the BBC program division. Professor Jones recommended that BBC establishes an inter division science platform and for them to appoint a science editor to improve on competency in this field. In addition, the science items also over relied on secondary information sources as a build up to its information gathering process (Jones 5). As a counter approach, Professor Jones advised the BBC trust to upgrade its database to create one that contains more relevant search engines. Thirdly, the application of the set editorial guidelines to minimize impartiality in coverage also made it tricky for BBC to be effective in this field. Another finding from Professor Jones research was that the number of males presenting and contributing to the science items was high as compared to the number of known scientists of both genders. In summary, the Professor asserted that BBC’s state of reporting science and technology issues was healthy although they needed to work on few of the editorial concerns to improve on their shortcomings (Jones 6). In conclusion, the different positions and figures denoting the state of BBC’s state of broadcasting of science and science related issues show that BBC has immensely ventured in this field. To them priority is on impacting science knowledge on the society for its betterment. Through careful planning, they have managed to slot in a number of these science issues in their programming on a day to day basis. In addition, they have managed to grasp the attention of an audience neglected for the longest time by other media houses. In excess, the reporting of their science items is distinct as its airing is when the target audience is either watching or listening. Remarkably, BBC sought to improve its service delivery by implementing the recommendations made by Professor Jones. Essentially, it became the most sought after media house in England because of its ability to be flexible to the needs of its audience. Works cited Jones, Steve. BBC Trust review of impartiality and accuracy of the BBC’s coverage of science, London 2011. Web, 8 October 2012. Mellor Felicity, et al. Science Communication Group Imperial College London, March 2011. Web, Web, 8 October 2012. Read More