Ariel Tung | Nov. 16, 2008
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| Photo by Ariel Tung |
| Emory University researcher Kris Wilson, a former broadcaster, studies how press coverage of climate change affects the public’s understanding of the science of global warming. |
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Wilson talked to students in associate professor Radhika Parameswaran’s J510 Media and Society Seminar and hosted an informal talk later in the Ernie Pyle Lounge on "Global Warming is a Scam: Tracking Skeptical TV Weathercasters’ Attitudes About Climate Change.”
His research analyzes press coverage of climate change, factors that influence global warming reporting and public understanding of mediated science. His work has been published in Science Communication, Mass Communication Review and The Journal of Geography. Before he taught at universities, Wilson worked in television as a news director, executive producer, anchor, reporter and weather anchor.
Wilson said that while global climate change has the potential to affect all of Earth’s inhabitants, people are not inclined to do act. The field of environmental reporting remains a challenging one as the journalists often lack knowledge of the issues nor the skills to explain them for the audience.
“Journalists often face the challenge of communicating complex scientific concepts to the public in a way they could understand them,” Wilson said. “Also, the media tends to favor short-term, dramatic and sensational stories about the environment but do little to inform the public about the risks associated with climate change.”
Journalism student Joseph Linstroth asked Wilson how environmental specialists could work together with media in delivering accurate and informative environment news. Wilson said the science of climate change is a long-term process that does not go with media’s preference in reporting short-term and sensational stories. Some non-profit groups are working on bringing the two entitles together in order to improve on environment reporting, he said.
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| Photo by Ariel Tung |
| Media’s demand for short or sensational stories precludes longer stories about the science of phenomena, Wilson told students. |
“Weather forecasters are stationed scientists,” Wilson said. “Weather forecasting is a form of science communication. Not only do weather forecasters understand science, they communicate well to the public. The expectations upon them are enormous.”
Wilson, who also has a doctorate in geography, said journalism allows him to utilize his science knowledge to serve the society.
“Without the media, we won’t know what’s going on with the world,” said Wilson.
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