Science journalists face a distinct set of challenges compared to their peers in their role of disseminating scientific results to the public. Among these is communicating scientific uncertainty, a fundamental aspect of the scientific method. While the research community embraces uncertainty, it is often insufficiently expressed in scientific communication. In this study, we assessed how journalists convey scientific uncertainty, focusing on two factors: (1) the different approach of general interest publications compared to those specialized in science, and (2) the specific requirements of reporting on unpredictable events such as the COVID-19 crisis. The analysis examined a large corpus of articles published in general interest and science-focused outlets during the initial phase of the pandemic (March 1 - August 31, 2020), as well as in two analogous samples: three years before (March 1 - August 31, 2017) and three years after (March 1 - August 31, 2023). We proposed a custom-developed dictionary of scientific uncertainty markers. The study examined changes in tone over time and uncovered a different attitude towards uncertainty between general interest and science-focused outlets, with the latter highlighting scientific uncertainty more proficiently. The analysis also examined how journalists conveyed information presented in preprints, a source of information often used during the pandemic because these papers carry a higher degree of uncertainty compared to studies already peer-reviewed. The investigation employed models tailored to science journalism, including AI/NLP techniques. The findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of scientific uncertainty, offering insights into managing public health crises.

Authors:
Andrada Fiscutean, University of Bucharest, Romania
Maria-Magdalena Rosu, University of Bucharest, Romania
Radu-Ioan Mihai, University of Bucharest, Romania

About the Presenter(s)
Andrada Fiscutean is a Ph.D. student at the University of Bucharest's Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies. She focuses on science and technology journalism and is interested in how media convey uncertainty.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andradafiscutean/

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