Sparks has published his research in the Journal of Communication, the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Communication Reports, Communication Research and Communication Quarterly. Bringing Good Science to the Media Hollywood insiders Allen, Gunn, Stokes and Bonerz recommended writing letters of protest to publication editors and news producers when bad science or paranormal hype appears in the media. However, they hedged their advice with a dose of realism, commenting that industry profit motive may be little swayed by viewer outrage. Scientist Jere Lipps suggested several proactive approaches. Most of all, Lipps would like to see a television drama that features the work and lives of scientists.
Several projects are in the works.
Fellow Communications researcher Glenn Sparks emphasized that further research and publicity surrounding the link between media depictions and paranormal belief is necessary. He also highlighted the lack of research conducted on paranormal beliefs among children. Sparks described children's beliefs as less certain and thus more vulnerable to media promotion of the paranormal and bad science. As a beginning point on this topic, he recommended the recently published book Mommy, I'm Scared by Joanne Cantor. The Los Angeles conference is just a small part of the Council for Media Integrity's efforts to proactively work for balanced presentations of science in the media.