Misinformation on natural disasters results from tension in science reporting, says experts
With the rise of natural disasters, science and weather reporters, together with scientists tackle different issues on scientific reportage.
Several factors on the tension between media practitioners and scientists in disaster risk reporting were discussed by a professor from the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB).
Professor Garry Jay Montemayor, Chairperson of the Department of Science Communication in UPLB said that “conflicting professional values” and “differing definitions among the professions” were two of the common reasons on the tension between media practitioners and scientists.
“The tension between the scientists and the media results to misinformed public,” added Montemayor.
In Montemayor’s lecture, the media was questioned on the delivery of scientific reportage. Lack of depth in reporting, and limited airtime and space were some of the issues raised against the media.
Other components of disaster risk reporting such as the actors involved, phases of typhoon reporting, and the models of the public understanding of science were also discussed by Montemayor.
One of the invited reactors, University of the Philippines-Diliman History professor Maria Luisa Bolinao, was disappointed that social scientists were not included in Montemayor’s actors in disaster risk reporting. “A disaster is a culture issue,” said Bolinao in vernacular.
Other invited personalities who reacted on the lecture were GMA Resident Meteorologist Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz and freelance science journalist Ruby Shaira Panela.###
