Embargoed Science
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Published: August 7, 2006
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 192
ISBN-13: 9780252030970
Subjects: Communication Studies; Social Science; Sociology; General; Industries - Media & Communications Industries; Media Studies; Business & Economics / Industries / Media & Communications Industries; Journalism; Reporters and reporting; Science news; Social aspects
First sentence: Black holes in distant space. The latest AIDS treatments.
Description: "Vincent Kiernan's Embargoed Science reveals the true process behind science news: an elite few scholarly journals control press coverage through a mechanism known as an embargo. The journals distribute advance copies of their articles to hundreds and sometimes thousands of journalists around the world, on the condition that journalists agree not to report their stories until a common time, several days later. When the embargo lifts, airwaves and newspaper pages are flooded with stories based on the latest issue." "In addition to divulging the realities behind this collusive practice, Kiernan offers an unprecedented exploration of the embargo's impact on public knowledge of science and medical issues. He surveys twenty-five daily U.S. newspapers and relates his in-depth interviews with reporters to examine the inner workings of the embargo and how it structures our understanding of news about science. Kiernan ultimately argues that this system fosters "pack journalism" and creates an unhealthy shield against journalistic competition. The result is the uncritical reporting of science and medical news according to the dictates of a few key sources."--Jacket.