The Challenges of Communicating Research Findings: A Journalist’s Perspective

Science reporting is not a daily routine in most media houses in Kenya and worldwide at large. Unlike sports, politics, business, arts and culture, Science reporting is generally placed on the fringes of mainstream journalism. A critical analysis of media operations, shows that there are various deep-rooted factors that tend to keep science at the bottom of newsgathering, packing and dissemination. The beginning point is journalism schools that traditionally avoid admitting students with science backgrounds or strong interest in science reporting, preferring those excelling in literature, languages, history and others. The courses offered hardly mention the coverage of science. In addition, issues such as media social responsibility, newsroom competition, newswriting basics and how they affect reporting complex scientific issues have been extensively addressed. The article has also addressed the critical challenges facing science reporting, bridged the divide between science and journalists by looking at the tips crucial for science journalism.