This scientist recalls his battle with mainstream media over reports that incorrectly used his statements to support climate change skepticism. He therefore asks...
So what should scientists do when reporting quality falls off a cliff? Earlier this year, I was seriously misrepresented by a newspaper and thrown into a political storm. Rather than take it lying down, I set the record straight. It has been an odd journey, and I think there are lessons for how we scientists should deal with the media.He then provides the details of his battle with the media and then offers suggestions to scientists on how to handle media reporters in the future.
Do your research. What is the reporter's track record? Anticipate that every sentence you say or write may be dissected and interpreted in the least charitable manner possible. And if things go wrong, seek advice from public-relations experts, and where necessary, media lawyers.How many scientists have time to do that? And I don't think in the end one can ever defeat corporate media's role in reporting events that suits the interests of the ruling capitalist class. It seems to me that the only real solution is to boycott those media corporations who violate journalistic standards and report only to those who abide by them.
