The Observatory

George Will and Climate Change: Have We Seen This Movie Before?

By Greg Marx   Jul 23, 2009 at 02:46 PM

He’s ba-ack. After igniting a firestorm in the blogosphere (and attracting some attention from mainstream media) with a February 15... More

Science Clichés: Steer Clear

By Sanhita Reddy   Jul 21, 2009 at 01:02 PM

Cheers to the Knight Science Journalism Tracker for picking up a snarky post at Wired titled, “5 Atrocious Science Clichés... More

The New Pioneers of the West

Start-up tries to fill the void in environment coverage

By Sanhita Reddy   Jul 17, 2009 at 03:50 PM

When Robert McClure picked up the phone to talk to about the new journalism startup he’s working for, Investigate West,... More

BPA, Health, and Nuance

STATS report criticizes media coverage, but has its own faults

By Sanhita Reddy   Jul 16, 2009 at 02:53 PM

The FDA is supposed to reach a final decision on the safety of Bisphenol A (BPA)—a plastics additive found in... More

Science Journalism in a Can

Are pre-packaged science stories better than none at all?

By The Editors   Jul 14, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Last week, the The Washington Post’s Health section carried a lead story about AIDS immunology research being spearheaded by a... More

Grace-ful Coverage

Libby asbestos trial highlights the value of robust regional reporting

By Russ Juskalian   Jul 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM

The name Libby doesn’t conjure the same images of corporate and environmental malfeasance as Love Canal or Three Mile Island.... More

Science Journalism Around the World

WCSJ participants talk about reporting in their home countries

By Curtis Brainard   Jul 8, 2009 at 10:23 AM

LONDON — During the meeting here last week, I began referring to the World Conference of Science Journalists as my... More

Press Eyes Copenhagen

At World Conference of Science Journalists, climate a hot topic

By Curtis Brainard   Jul 6, 2009 at 05:28 PM

LONDON — Unsurprisingly, climate change was one of the most popular topics at the World Conference of Science Journalists, held... More

Some Optimism for the Future of Science Journalism

And especially for international collaboration

By Cristine Russell   Jul 2, 2009 at 04:43 PM

LONDON — Amidst the gloomy climate in American science journalism, leading British editors have a decidedly upbeat view about coverage.... More

NSF “Underwriting” Coverage…

And other controversies from the World Conference of Science Journalists

By Curtis Brainard   Jul 1, 2009 at 10:23 AM

LONDON — The sixth World Conference of Science Journalists got off to an enjoyably controversial start here on Tuesday afternoon.... More

Health Wealth

Press misses a tipping point in the financing of global health projects

By Sanhita Reddy   Jun 30, 2009 at 01:16 PM

Earlier this month, the Lancet published two studies clarifying some long-standing questions about global health financing and the effectiveness of... More

Reprimanded Psychiatrist? Bad Advice?

Give that documentary a Peabody!

By Paul Scott   Jun 24, 2009 at 01:10 PM

Last May, a Peabody was awarded to the film Depression: Out of the Shadows, a documentary which aired in 2008... More

Climate Change, Crop Catastrophe

California papers ignore the agricultural consequences of climate change

By Sam Kornell   Jun 22, 2009 at 11:41 AM

California’s awful fiscal and economic crises—$24 billion budget shortfall, fifth highest level of unemployment in the nation—have been much in... More

Gene Randall “Reporting,” Inc.

Will journalists’ flight toward PR mean the end of reportorial integrity?

By Brad Jacobson   Jun 16, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Former CNN correspondent-turned-PR consultant Gene Randall’s video “report” for oil giant Chevron might be unprecedented for how it blurred the... More

Talking Shop: Karen Ravn

The Los Angeles Times freelancer discusses her recent piece on medical dishonesty

By Sanhita Reddy   Jun 15, 2009 at 01:00 PM

In “Body of Lies,” a recent article published in the Los Angeles Times, Karen Ravn reported on the widespread problem... More