Verification of science journalists

A Statement from the chair and the board of the ABSW.

It has come to our attention that a number of science editors have been receiving pitches from people who are not who they claim to be: these pitches include fabricated bylines, fake identities and AI-generated portfolios. Writers are understandably concerned about this, since their reputation is tied to their bylines. And editors need to know that they can trust that the pitches they receive are genuinely from the writers who sent them.

The ABSW can help. We can help provide an added layer of verification.

Every member of our association has been assessed against our membership criteria, which means a listing in our member directory is good evidence that a real, working science journalist or writer stands behind the name. If you receive a pitch from someone who says they are an ABSW member, you can check the directory and contact us at [email protected] to cross-check/verify, and we will confirm their membership status. 

For nearly 80 years, the ABSW has stood for independence and excellence in science journalism. Helping editors trust the people they commission is a natural part of that work.

Alex O’Brien
Chair
The Association of British Science Writers