6.2 Why should you report controversies?

As Christine Gorman, former associate science editor for Time magazine, once said: just as in good literature, conflict or controversy often drives science stories.

Readers and audiences like controversies and these stories may also appeal more to reporters. Editors of a newspaper are more likely to upgrade a run-of-the-mill science story from third page to the front page if it has a controversy angle that can sell the paper or enliven a telecast.

Controversial issues provide an opportunity to educate readers and raise public awareness of issues like climate change or AIDS.

Informed coverage of a controversial scientific issue could lead to benefits for the public. For instance, reports of the health hazards of traditional wood stoves for cooking led to an Indian programme on "smokeless chulas." [ http://www.unesco.or.id/apgest/pdf/india/india-bp-re.pdf ]

The rewards of a highly visible or controversial story may be substantial to reporters: your byline gets noticed in newsrooms and by the scientific community. This raises the prospects of your being alerted by would-be whistleblowers and "insiders" who may become your new sources for more controversial news in future.

Every journalist longs to do a controversial or investigative story during his or her career. The opportunity for this is may seem greater for reporters covering beats such as crime or politics.

This lesson will try to convince you that there are equally good chances of reporting such stories in the science beat, but only if you know how to identify and pursue them.


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