Science journalism in the current digital ecosystem: challenges and alerts from the perspective of Chilean professionals

Abstract

Science journalism is in an ongoing process of digitisation, so it is necessary to have analyses that allow understanding of the current reality of the discipline and awareness of future trends and difficulties. Due to the fact that the consideration given to science journalism in Latin America is not uniform across the different regions, this study seeks to determine how science journalists in Chile are performing in the new digital scenario. By using the “snowball” technique, a survey was disseminated with questions associated with professional practice, which enable evaluation of the work of the discipline in the country. The 42 participating journalists highlighted the importance of using scientific language appropriately and the use of social networks to communicate with audiences. They also warned about the challenge encountered by local science journalism in facing the misinformation that is shared in the digital environment, as well as the ongoing specialisation in content and the qualified use of technologies that professionals in the field must develop. This research reveals the need for journalists to have greater versatility and knowledge of the new channels through which the public is informed, and thereby take advantage of the current boom in the consumption of science news by citizens.