Lately, In Science

Featured image: Improving health news through press releases

Improving health news through press releases

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • May 18, 2019

In 2014 a study was published that challenged an oft-cited criticism that journalists are to blame for hyped-up health stories. Sensational headlines, breathless reporting, caveats buried so far down the story that most readers never find them. We hear these complaints all the time about the media. But this study, published in The BMJ, turned the claims on their … Read More

Featured image: Violence in the media and cycles of trauma

Violence in the media and cycles of trauma

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Apr 26, 2019

As governments consider tightening the reins on social media companies and the platforms’ use in terrorism, new research highlights the impact of being exposed to such violence. Following last month’s mosque shootings in Christchurch, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced plans to co-host a meeting in Paris called the “Christchurch Call”. The aim will be to have world leaders … Read More

1

Featured image: Where is the social responsibility among social media companies?

Where is the social responsibility among social media companies?

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Mar 19, 2019

An 18-year-old has appeared in court on charges relating to sharing a video of a terrorist attack last week, but where is the accountability for the social media platforms that enabled it to be shared in the first place? Much of Friday afternoon was surreal: we went from celebrating the action of thousands of New Zealand teenagers protesting about the … Read More

2

Featured image: Cold-store snails, data for sale and NZ’s lost birds – our favourite science journalism from October

Cold-store snails, data for sale and NZ’s lost birds – our favourite science journalism from October

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Nov 01, 2018

Phew, it’s been a busy month in the news agenda: from the IPCC’s 1.5C report to turmoil in the National party and tragedy in Wanaka and Mt Cook. Through all of that, you’d be forgiven for missing some of the excellent science-related stories that have been published over the past month. But never fear, we’ve collated some of our favourites … Read More

Featured image: Cults, leaky houses and a belated obituary – great journalism from July and August

Cults, leaky houses and a belated obituary – great journalism from July and August

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Aug 31, 2018

Spring is just around the corner which means the Science Media Centre team have been enjoying late winter vacations. Here’s a double-issue instalment of the great science journalism we’ve enjoyed during July and August. Seen, read or listened to anything you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below. High Hopes: Who Will Benefit From NZ’s Legal … Read More

1

Featured image: Funding science journalism in Aotearoa

Funding science journalism in Aotearoa

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Jul 23, 2018

The Aotearoa New Zealand Science Journalism Fund is now in its third round, with applications closing this week, which seems like a good time to celebrate some of the great journalism that’s been enabled by the fund. It’s the first independent journalism fund dedicated to furthering coverage of the science-related issues that impact New Zealanders. Dr Rebecca Priestley, winner … Read More

Featured image: Flat Earthers, data breaches and the human cost of meth testing – June journalism

Flat Earthers, data breaches and the human cost of meth testing – June journalism

Sarah-Jane O'Connor • Jun 29, 2018

From human stories about the impacts of meth testing, to whether or not to debate scientific facts, here are some of the stories that caught our eye at the Science Media Centre this month. Seen, read, listened to anything great? Let us know in the comments. NZ’s natural born killer: Inside our war on stoats Jamie Morton, NZ Herald … Read More