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COMMUNITY:
Mass Media Article

Why speak?

March 28, 2017 | Media and Technology
In an information free-for-all why should scientists bother to add their voice? In this commentary piece I argue there is an increasingly important role for scientists amongst the growing ranks of public intellectuals and the many who style themselves as such. First, we must become the sifters and sorters. We need to be willing to use our research and analytical skills to identify what is valuable amongst all the noise, and, if necessary, to volubly reject what is not. And, second, we need to create and defend the space everyone needs for deep thought and consideration. We need to influence ongoing debates by seeking to push them towards evidence-based arguments and areas of scientific consensus. To sift out the deliberately distracting stories and to counter fake news.

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  • Emma Johnson
    Author
    UNSW Sydney
  • Citation

    ISSN : 1824-2049
    Publication Name: Journal of Science Communication
    Volume: 16
    Number: 1
    Resource Type: Reference Materials
    Discipline: General STEM | Nature of science
    Audience: General Public | Scientists
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Broadcast Media | Websites, Mobile Apps, and Online Media | Comics, Books, and Newspapers

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