Although science became a source for economic technology just a century and a half ago, it has proven to be a revolutionary force with vast capabilities. It has become the main cursor for civilization and has pervaded almost all aspects of life with its implementations and tools through which human beings are able to challenge nature – sometimes imprudently – and to delve into the secrets of life as both players and drivers.

A modern phenomenon in the media worth noting is the unprecedented dissemination of scientific and medical news, no longer a rare occurrence. They have become an almost daily news item that sometimes occupies lead headlines and front pages.

Experts trying to determine the extent of shift in media coverage by measuring the amount of space scientific news occupies, have noticed an increase in the size, placement and quality of science and technology stories. Unfortunately, great scientific accomplishments have turned into a double-edged sword, since stories about science are no longer confined laboratories, research centers and remote areas. They are no longer limited to the stars, galaxies, light years, space journey and dessert atomic tests. . Instead, they have reached the extent of simulating the birth of the universe within the walls of laboratories, capturing the sounds of the Big Bang widespread talk of genealogy and what it reveals about the secrets of life, stem cells experiments and hope of cures for the incurable, in addition to follow ups on environmental challenges, pollution, emissions and global warming.

The developments covered by the media also include cloning and other strange and worrying life alterations. As science and medicine become more diverse, new diseases are surfacing as well. We barely emerge from one disaster before the next one hits with force, starting with immune deficiency, followed by foot-and-mouth disease and finally the H1N1 virus; all of which are the result of our manipulation of the laws of nature. It is a representation of the impact of news reports of scientific developments on human beings and the large spaces they occupy in their minds through media outlets. As such, it is important for scientific media coverage to be aware of its impacts and to be responsible.

The wave of scientific media caught up with the Arab world as well, due to the increasing role of science and medical implementations in our lives, but without being a sign of progress in the field of sciences in our societies. In spite of that, this is considered a significant development worth studying because the media is a requirements for serious awareness and interest in an era when the international language of science has become essential, because science and technology are the new currency of the 21st century, and because the advancement of nations is driven by their scientific and technological strengths.

The ‘thrill factor’ generally determines scientific topics, both in the Arab and Western worlds. A few years ago, some scientists caused outrage over a picture of a giant mass that resembles the face of an ape and that was found among tens of thousands of pictures broadcast by a space probe on the planet Mars. Architecture images resembling the pyramids were also suspected next to the mass. Despite the storm of controversy provoked by tabloids, most experts cast doubt on the authenticity of these images, since the presence or absence of life on Mars or other planets does not necessarily require the existence of pyramids and ape -like figures. After much study and analysis, experts remarked that the same location on Mars (known as ‘Caledonia’) showed a variation of shadows, indicating that the photo-shoot taken during different times of the day from several angles yield different images. However, some still insist that the pictures are authentic and that the authorities were trying to bury the story.

On many occasions, coverage of scientific news are politically and, commercially driven  and even with personal and private considerations making an investigation into the report a difficult task. The American press introduced the Pulitzer Prize for journalists to reward risk-taking and courage in uncovering such scandals. Recently, a new study emerged refuting centuries-old logic that warned of the dangers of consuming eggs, claiming doing so increases the levels of LDL, the so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol. The new report, however, argues that consuming eggs is healthy and, contrary to popular belief, that doing so increases the levels of HDL, the so called ‘good’ cholesterol in the blood stream. It accused companies that make cereals of standing behind the rumor that eggs were unhealthy. However, it later turned out that the new study itself was funded by poultry companies that were harmed by those reports.

Against this backdrop, specialized scientific magazines such as “Nature” and “Lancet” have decided not to publish research studies funded by companies and industries. A few years ago, the British Observer newspaper published a report on the British “Welcom” pharmaceutical company, saying decisions taken in its closed doors are no less serious than decisions taken by governments when they opt for war or peace.

Editors of scientific affairs in media must turn science into a topic of specialization and interest. They must possess general knowledge of the methods and requirements of scientific research, develop a scientific writing style, and produce accurate and responsible work. Finally, scientific editors must have a good sense of judgment in order to evaluate the sensitivity, validity and, first and foremost, the credibility of the topic at hand. The style of writing must also be clear and unambiguous; writers should simplify scientific jargon when reporting facts.

Last but not least, moderation must be adopted in reporting scientific news in a manner that does not openly challenge religious beliefs and alienates readers. The aim of science reporting must be gaining more adherents to the realm of science. New scientific news must be dealt with carefully for they could very well be the seeds of the future.

ISSUE 91 - February 2010