A bridge between cultures

Abstract

Journalists who report on scientific discoveries and the scientists who make them are, in many cases, separated by a Grand Canyon‐sized gap. A recent U.S. survey revealed that journalists believe that scientists' jargon prevents effective communication. Scientists polled in the same survey, conducted by Today Show host Jim Hartz and NASA scientist Rick Chappell, said that journalists need to do a better job of verifying facts and interpreting scientific results. Panelists representing the scientific and media communities will discuss ways to bridge that gap during the “Science and the Media” episode of Freedom Speaks , to be aired by Public Broadcasting Stations in May and June (check your local listings).