Third Interactive WCSJ House of Commons Debate: With Science Under Attack, Should Science Journalists Get Off the Sidelines?
B4) Third Interactive WCSJ House of Commons Debate: With Science Under Attack, Should Science Journalists Get Off the Sidelines?
In 2013, it was Helsinki; in 2015, it was Seoul. Now, San Francisco is about to fiercely debate a hot topic in science journalism.
On the table: doing science journalism in the age of Trump and anti-science fake news. With politicians and government agencies denying climate change and undercutting childhood vaccination, should science journalists get off the sidelines and enter the fight? Is simply reporting on the controversies a luxury we can still afford? Or do science journalists and science communicators need to become advocates or even activists? If so, where is the line that should not be crossed?
The choices are yours. Be prepared to defend them.
Like previous editions, this session will NOT be long talks with PowerPoint presentations. Nor will time for discussion be cut short. On the contrary: here debate will be front and center. Everyone will get a chance to join in. Mimicking a real “House of Commons,” the session casts audience members as unruly parliamentarians. The Chair encourages them to vent strong opinions and confront their opponents. Arguments fly, and sometimes the crowd will erupt in a roaring “Hear, hear.”
No doubt it will be highly entertaining.