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Science and the media

1998; Elsevier BV; Volume: 27; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0048-7333(98)00096-1

1873-7625

Peter Weingart,

scientometrics and bibliometrics research

The traditional view of the popularization of science, if it was ever correct, is being challenged in the new arrangement between science and the media. The paper discusses the changes in that arrangement and gives three particular cases of what is termed an increasingly closer science–media-coupling: pre-publication of results in the media, the role of media prominence in relation to scientific reputation, and the cassandra syndrome in some areas of research, i.e., the initiation of catastrophe discourses in order to catch public attention. The coupling with its problematic consequences seems inescapable given the increased dependency on public support on the part of science, and the media's enhanced role in providing legitimation.