Next issue DEADLINE: 19 October 2009, to come out the week of 2 November 2009.
DEBATE: Is the mainstream media's science coverage broken, misleading, dangerous, lazy, venal, and silly?
FOR: Ben Goldacre, doctor and author of the Bad Science column (in the Guardian) and book
Discussions on this problem could easily descend into banal lists of examples. As a starting point, here is my banal list of examples. The irresponsible reporting on MMR – which continues even now – is this profession’s flagship of shame...
AGAINST: Steve Connor, Science Editor, The Independent
Ben Goldacre’s columns are often entertaining and in the public interest – two ingredients of good journalism. They are welcomed in the battle against anti-science and the mountebanks of disinformation. I thought we were on the same side in this struggle...
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EDITORIAL: Call me the awkward squad
You'll see a piece about the Templeton Fellowship in this issue, and I don't feel I can let it stand without at least some comment...
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NEWS: The Creative Rights Alliance recovers
Despite the sad passing of its chairman, The CRA continues to tackle issues of paramount importance to writers, such as digital copyright and a European Commission attempt to clamp down on any recommendation of rates....
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NEWS: Free help for investigative journalism projects
A new initiative from City University, London, will supply investigative researchers from its Science Journalism Masters Course to working journalists who apply...
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NEWS: 'PRs have morals,' says study funded by PRs for PRs
Public relations professionals have higher morals than surgeons, businessmen and accountants, claims a study (and its press release)...
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FEATURE: Faith, reason and the Templeton Fellowship
The Science Editor of the Daily Mail, Michael Hanlon, gives his take on the Templeton Journalism Fellowships...
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FEATURE: Straight Statistics
Director of Straight Statistics, Nigel Hawkes, on the battle to unearth the truth from the numbers...
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ABSW: Science journalism in crisis? BIS expert group seeks our input
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced an 'expert group' to look at the state of science and the media in the UK. Your input is sought for an ABSW submission to the panel...
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ABSW: Funding now available for regional groups
The ABSW Executive Committee is setting aside funds to help establish regional groups for members outside of London...
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ABSW: Tell us what your rates are
A new online pay survey should help freelancers determine their worth...
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COLUMN: Fabian's World
Crystal gazing: A strange and startling art work in the form of a council flat in South London totally covered in copper sulphate crystals has been attracting 200 people a day...
Maths and cells: Recent TV programmes about maths and cells share the same desperate desire to amuse the viewer...
One stumbling step: It appears that the famous “One small step for man…” might have had its origins in a Brit...
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COLUMN: My ABSW
Reflections on the World Conference of Science Journalists...
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COLUMN: ABSW-L Buzz
Some serious stuff: just watch out for the clichés. All the latest natter on ABSW-L...
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COLUMN: Out and about
An incomplete and rather random guide to forthcoming events...
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Hall of Shame
Awards this issue for innovative use of dubious research to promote a company, for hype above and beyond the call of duty, for the most breathtakingly obvious conclusion and for cut and paste journalism.
See who's been named and shamed.
From the Blog
New Scientist seeks science graduates for new blog... More
John Rennie (fomerly editor of Scientific American) calls for less science journalism. (One of the highlights of the WCSJ -Ed)... More
Post on WCSJ features useful links to podcasts and other resources... More
See more opinion, musings, reports and job adverts posted regularly at the ABSW Blog.
Members' Books
Professor Stewart's Hoard of Mathematical Treasures
Read full details online.
New Members
Paul Rodgers, Nadya Ascomb, Philippa Pigache, Evelyn Harvey, Emily Baldwin, Bella Williams, Terry Knott, Marianne Freiberger, Barry Gibb, Helen Jamiso, Will Greenacr, Michael Regnier, Ollie Christopher, Zoe McDougall, Dr Ed Sykes, Tom Sheldon, Katrina Nevin-Ridley, Philip Connolly, and Mico Tatalovic.
Read full bios online.
Jobs
Nuffield Council on Bioethics seeks board member
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for next issue.
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