Science Coverage in the British Mass Media: Media Output and Source Input

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic content analysis of science coverage in the British press and broadcast media, and it discusses some of the source-communicator relationships which help set the agenda for science coverage. The study finds a remarkable uniformity across the media of newspapers, radio, and television in the relative prominence given to different types of science. Explanations for this are sought in the role of scientists and their institutions in either initiating or responding to media interest. The findings point to the agenda for science coverage being driven primarily by events; news values, and media practices originating outside the scientific community